Hours after Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and said that he was assured that the Centre would take all possible steps to bring back normalcy in the state, the Congress hit back saying every minute he continues in the post is a minute wasted towards efforts to bring peace there.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said: "Every single minute Biren Singh continues as CM is a minute wasted towards efforts to bring peace and begin the reconciliation process in Manipur. His continuation as CM is untenable beyond doubt."
His remarks came after Biren Singh met Shah in New Delhi and said that the Home Minister has advised him to strengthen the work towards achieving everlasting peace and also sought the cooperation of every stakeholder in Manipur to ensure that peace prevails in the state.
Earlier on Sunday, Ramesh had reiterated the demand of removal of Biren Singh for failing to control violence in the state and also sought that all armed groups must be disarmed immediately.
He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continuing silence on violence.
In a series of tweets, Ramesh said: “Today, I participated in the National Convention on Peace in Manipur organised by 10 like-minded political parties of Manipur to share my thoughts on the political, administrative and humanitarian disasters in the state of Manipur.”
Hitting out at the Prime Minister, he said: “While Manipur is burning, the Prime Minister is silent, the Home Minister is ineffective, and the Chief Minister is non-functional. To move ahead, the Chief Minister should be replaced immediately and two fundamental steps need to be taken, first disarm all armed groups ruthlessly without any discrimination and second begin the process of creating an atmosphere of trust, harmony and reconciliation.
“We live in hope that Manipur which was an example of Unity through Diversity in India is brought back to the path of normalcy at the earliest”.
His remarks came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday held an all-party meeting to discuss the Manipur situation.
The Congress and other opposition parties had, after the all-party meeting, demanded the immediate removal of the Manipur Chief Minister.
Manipur has witnessed violence since May 3 and over 100 people have died while thousands have been forced to flee their home and stay in relief camps.
Also Read| Centre assured all possible help to restore normalcy in Manipur, says CM N. Biren Singh
