KOHIMA, Jun 10 (NEPS): Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said his visit to the strife-torn Manipur State today was to create a “confidence-building measure” in the State.
Talking to press at Imphal, the Chief Minister said his visit to the State was mainly to meet his counterpart, N Biren Singh, his cabinet colleagues, party (BJP) leaders and leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
The visit was mainly to create a “confidence-building measure,” he added. “So my visit is completely a goodwill visit, nothing more than that,” he added.
He said when the violence broke out in the State; he was planning to visit the State. But then Union Home Minister, Amit Shah visited the State. “I feeling guilty of not visiting the State earlier,” he added.
He is also the first Chief Minister visiting the strife-torn State.
Sarma, who is also the Convener of NEDA, said whatever he learned and whatever he had discussion with his counterpart and Cabinet Ministers, leaders of CSOs and party people, during his stay in the State, the same would be reported to the Union Home Minister.
When asked whether he was planning to meet the Kuki leaders, the Assam Chief Minister said he could not meet any Kuki leaders this time. He, however, said “as and when the need arises, we can contact them.”
The violence between the Meiteis and Kukis broke out in Manipur on 3 May and the State continues to witness arsons of houses and killings among the two communities. After almost a month since the outbreak of the violence, Shah visited the State on 29 May and stayed till 1 June 10, 2023. During his stay, he met leaders of CSOs of both Meitei and Kuki communities, besides visiting Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Moreh areas meeting people who were in the relief camps.