Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav commented on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent statements about the situation in Manipur, suggesting that Bhagwat's concerns have come too late.
"PM has always been silent, not just on Manipur, but also on farmers, wrestlers who were molested... He (Mohan Bhagwat) spoke but it's late," Yadav, the former Bihar deputy chief minister, told PTI.
Yadav's remarks came in response to Bhagwat, who highlighted the need for prioritizing peace in Manipur, which has been marred by violence for the past year. "Manipur is waiting for peace for the last one year. There was peace in Manipur 10 years ago. It felt like gun culture had finished there. But the state has suddenly seen violence. The situation in Manipur will have to be considered with priority. There is need to get over election rhetoric and focus on problems facing the nation," Bhagwat stated.
He added, "The unrest either got triggered or was triggered, but Manipur is burning and people are facing its extreme heat."
These comments follow an incident on Monday, where Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh's security convoy was ambushed by suspected militants in Kangpokpi district, resulting in one injury. The convoy was en route to the violence-affected Jiribam district when it was attacked near Kotlen village along National Highway-53. Security forces retaliated after multiple gunshots were fired at them, according to a police officer.
Reacting to the ambush, Chief Minister Singh condemned the attack, calling it "very unfortunate and highly condemnable." He stated, "It's an attack on the chief minister, which means a direct attack on the people of the state. The state government has to do something... we will take a decision."
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