New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday affirmed that the central government is making efforts to normalise the situation in the north-eastern state of Manipur, which has been witnessing ethnic violence since last year.

The Prime Minister was replying to the debate on ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha.

 “The government is continuously making efforts to normalise the situation in Manipur. More than 11,000 FIRs have been registered and over 500 people arrested. Incidents of violence are continuously reducing in Manipur”, PM Modi said.

He further said that the central and the state governments are establishing interactions with all stakeholders to restore peace. “Today, schools, colleges, offices and other institutions are open in the state. The Central and the State govt are talking to all stakeholders to restore peace”, he said.

Giving a strong response to the opposition on the Manipur issue, PM Narendra Modi further attacked the Congress party stating that it had imposed President’s rule in Manipur 10 times.

“The Union Home Minister stayed there for many weeks…Central govt is extending all cooperation to Manipur to tackle the ongoing flood situation in the state. Today, two teams of NDRF have reached Manipur. I warn those who are trying to add the fuel to fire will be rejected by Manipur…Congress had imposed President’s rule in Manipur 10 times…” he said.

He further called on the opposition leaders to cooperate with the government to restore peace in the state.  “Leaving behind politics, we should cooperate to restore peace in Manipur”, he said. Notably, PM Modi clashed with Congress over Manipur issues in Parliament, sparking disruptions and accusations amid heated debates on regional unrest.

The northeastern state has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.

Earlier in June, Union Home Minister Amit Shah did a holistic review of the security situation in Manipur in a high-level meeting here in the national capital and directed to ensure that “no further incident of violence takes place” in the northeastern state.

In the one-hour-long meeting at his North Block office, the Home Minister stressed upon strategic deployment of the central forces to restore peace and tranquillity in Manipur.  Reflecting on the recent election results, Modi noted the positive reactions in the capital market and globally, suggesting an atmosphere of joy.

He sarcastically questioned the Congress party’s apparent celebration, despite their losses, insinuating that their joy might stem from a continued streak of electoral failures.

Modi further criticized the Congress party’s treatment of Dalit and backward communities. He accused them of using individuals from these communities as scapegoats in elections, citing instances where Congress fielded Dalit candidates in contests they were likely to lose, such as the presidential and vice-presidential elections in 2017 and 2022.

Modi specifically mentioned the treatment of former President Ram Nath Kovind and the current President, a tribal woman, claiming that Congress has consistently exhibited an anti-SC/ST/OBC mindset and humiliated these leaders.