BJP Leaders Hold Meetings To Discuss Manipur Among Other Issues

Amid the deadlock in Parliament, where the Opposition remains adamant in its demand for a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi even while disrupting its proceedings, senior BJP leaders convened on Monday (July 24) to discuss various issues, including Manipur.

According to reports, the leadership of the ruling party held a series of meetings in Parliament House. This included a meeting between Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief J P Nadda, who later joined Modi in his office within Parliament House.

The three leaders engaged in a meeting that lasted nearly an hour.

Later in the day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also met with Shah in Parliament House.

These consecutive meetings have fueled speculation that the BJP may be considering some "political steps" in Manipur.

However, reports indicate that both the party and the government are awaiting the outcome of an upcoming meeting of Kuki groups. The militant Kuki groups, who have been demanding a separate administration, are scheduled to hold a meeting later this week to finalize their demand.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), which is the highest governing body of the Kuki community in the state, has changed its demand for a "separate administration" to a demand for a separate state under Article 3 of the Constitution.

According to further reports, the government acknowledges the concerns raised by the Kuki groups, especially in light of the recent violence. However, it is cautious about taking any actions unnecessarily favouring the militant Kuki groups, that may upset or provoke the majority Meitei groups.

Notably, Shah has assured that Manipur's territorial integrity will be safeguarded.

However, there has been a backlash from the militant Kuki-Zo civil society organizations following KIM's demand for a separate state. The outcome of the meeting is therefore significant.

Government sources have expressed satisfaction with the progress being made in Manipur to restore normalcy. They have stated that things are moving in the right direction and that there have been no major incidents of violence reported in recent days.