Home minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday expressed surprise and disappointment by the BJP’s statement alleging that the home minister’s unilateral decision to allow NSCN-IM leader T Muivah to visit Manipur has created tension in the state.
In a statement issued here, Mr Chidambaram said, “In order to set the record straight, I wish to point out that the Government of India is holding talks with the NSCN (IM) led by Mr Muivah. Mr Muivah expressed a desire to visit his native village, Somdal in Ukhrul district in Manipur. He submitted an itinerary through the interlocutor R.S. Pandey and was told that his visit can be facilitated in consultation with the Manipur government.” Mr Chidambaram said that the Manipur government took a stand that such a visit would not be appropriate at this time. He said that the Centre has since tried to resolve the situation following which Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh came down to Delhi on May 6 and held talks with finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, defence minister A.K. Antony as well as the home minister. “However, after his return to Imphal, the CM reiterated the stand of his government that the visit of Mr Muivah to Somdal could not be allowed at this stage,” Mr Chidambaram said.
Mr Chidambaram said that he had met a BJP delegation led by Prakash Javadekar on Friday in connection with the situation in Manipur. “After hearing the delegation, I explained in detail the developments in the past week. The delegation thanked me for the patient hearing, for the briefing on the developments in Manipur and urged me and the government to continue to deal with the situation with tact and understanding. “The delegation expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the meeting. I am, therefore, surprised and disappointed by the statement issued by Prakash Javadekar yesterday,” Mr Chidambaram said.