RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat bats for peace in Manipur: ‘Been waiting for a year…’

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has batted for peace in the ethnic violence-stricken northeastern state of Manipur. The state has been battered by clashes between two ethnic communities–Kuki Zo and Meitei.

“Manipur has been waiting for peace for a year. It has to be considered on a priority basis," Mohan Bhagwat said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said, “...Elections are an essential process of democracy. Since there are two sides to it, there is a contest. Since it is a contest, efforts are made to move forward. But there is a dignity to it. Lies should not be used. People are being elected to go to the Parliament and run our country. They will do so by coming to a consent...This contest is not a war.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost the Lok Sabha Elections in Manipur. Congress leaders won both seats in the northeastern state governed by BJP leader and Chief Minister Biren Singh.

“The kind of criticisms made for each other, how a campaign would lead to tiff in society, and there will be divisions–none of it was taken care of. Organisations like RSS were also dragged into it needlessly,” Mohan Bhagwat alleged. 

“Falsehood was presented with the help of technology...Modern technology was used to propagate falsehood. How will a country like that?... It is called Opposition...It should not be considered an adversary. They are Opposition, revealing one side. Their opinions should also come to light...” the RSS chief said.

Modi, during his second term as Prime Minister of India, was accused of not visiting violence-stricken Manipur. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the state last year when it was engulfed by violence and started his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra this year from Manipur.

"There is dignity in contesting elections. That dignity was not maintained. It is necessary to do so because our country's challenges have not ended...The same government is back to power - NDA. It is right that positive things have happened in the last 10 years...But it doesn't mean that we are free of challenges now..." Bhagwat said.

Meanwhile, the security convoy of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was allegedly attacked by armed miscreants in Kotlen on Monday.

After reports of fresh violence in the area, Biren Singh was expected to visit Jiribam.

According to Manipur Police, several houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities were burnt by unknown miscreants in Kotlen following the murder of a person.

Around 600 people from Manipur's Jiribam area are now taking shelter in Assam's Cachar district following fresh violence reported in Manipur's Jiribam area. The Cachar district police have heightened security along the bordering areas.

The ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis began in May last year and led to the deaths of over 200 people, besides rendering thousands of people homeless.