The simmering tension over the controversial military law AFSPA did not feature in Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s campaign on Wednesday for elections starting next week in Manipur, as he promised to hold peace talks with the state’s Kuki militant groups and bring peace in the next five years.
As the problem of Bodo militancy was solved in neighbouring Assam, no Kuki youth will have to carry arms anymore, Mr Shah said in an election rally in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, remaining completely silent on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which gives the military sweeping powers over much of the northeast and has been in focus since a botched encounter in Nagaland left 14 locals and one soldier dead in December.
Militant outfits such as Kuki National Organisation and United People’s Front were demanding a separate state for the Kuki tribe in Manipur. The government has signed a Suspension of Operation (SoO) with them.
“Have confidence in us, we will talk to all Kuki organisations, and a new life will be given to all Kuki youths to enable them to join the development of the nation, of the hills and of Manipur under PM Modi,” Mr Shah said.
NDTV
