Amit Shah in Manipur, Affirms BJP's Commitment to Inner Line Permit for Manipur

In a significant announcement during a public gathering in Imphal, Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has granted the long-awaited Inner Line Permit (ILP) to the state. This move is expected to have far-reaching implications for the region's demographic and security landscape.

Addressing the crowd, Shah highlighted the pivotal role played by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in advocating for the implementation of the ILP system. "I want to tell this today that our (CM) Biren Singh may not say this, but he kept a big demand before PM Modi - Manipur cannot remain united without inner-line permit," Shah said, acknowledging the Chief Minister's persistent efforts.

Earlier in the day, the Home Minister articulated the BJP-led central government's unwavering commitment to establishing lasting peace in Manipur, a state that has grappled with ethnic strife for years. Shah framed the upcoming Lok Sabha election as a decisive contest between forces endeavoring to fracture Manipur and those steadfast in preserving its unity.

Expressing concern over attempts to alter Manipur's demographic fabric through infiltration, Shah asserted, "Establishment of peace in Manipur by taking all communities on board and without breaking the state is the priority of the Narendra Modi government." He emphasized the imperative of inclusivity and harmony in the region.

Manipur's scars from past ethnic clashes remain etched in collective memory, with Shah acknowledging the tragedy that unfolded on May 3 last year, when at least 219 lives were lost during turmoil sparked by a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Envisioning a transformative future for Manipur, Shah echoed the sentiment that the destiny of the country hinges on the progress and stability of the northeast, particularly Manipur. He issued a fervent appeal to the electorate, urging them to cast their votes in favor of BJP candidates contesting in the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituencies.

The granting of the ILP, a long-standing demand in Manipur, is expected to have significant implications for the state's security and demographic dynamics. As the election campaign gathers momentum, the BJP's commitment to the ILP is likely to be a key campaign issue, with the party positioning itself as a champion of the state's interests.