Congress Lok Sabha MP from Outer Manipur, Alfred KS Arthur, on Tuesday tore into the BJP-led Centre over its handling of the ongoing Manipur conflict, asking “why is it so difficult to replace one man for peace” in the small northeastern state.

Participating in the discussion on 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha with Sandhya Ray in the chair, the first-time MP, belonging to the “neutral” Naga community, in his 11-minute emotionally charged and blunt speech, delivered in English and Hindi, narrated what Manipur has been going through due to the unrest and the worst flood in 35 years, the handling of the unrest by the government and what could be the likely road to peace which has remained elusive for “15 months”.

A former MLA, Alfred, was critical of finance minister N. Sitharaman for her “anti-people” budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not hearing the “cries of the women and children who can’t go back to their homes” of Manipur though “we have heard your Mann Ki Baat (PM’s monthly radio programme) for the past ten years” and for not visiting the state till now.

He also hit out at embattled chief minister N. Biren Singh while mooting for his immediate replacement, “The words that come out from his (Singh) mouth are of only marne ka, pitne ka (of beating). What is this? Is this my country?... It is my right to seek justice...”

Thanking the INDIA bloc leaders for keeping alive the Manipur issue in the House, Alfred also flagged the suggestions given by the Congress delegation led by the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to outgoing governor Anusuiya Uikey, at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal on July 8. It was Rahul’s third visit to Manipur since the conflict began and first as the LoP.

Asserting he was not sent by his electorate to listen to bhasaans (speeches) neither is to listen to fictitious figures that are brought before this House, he said, “We gave suggestions (to the governor). I gave two clear suggestions on how to bring peace to Manipur. I think it has not been acted upon because Manipur you have taken it as not part of this nation. That day I very clearly said that the Nagas are not part of the conflict. We are neutral on this issue.
We requested the Rajyapal (governor) to take the help of the Naga leaders, Naga community leaders and send them out to Kuki and Meitei areas to usher in peace, to start with that. We had given that suggestion.”

The MP added: “Secondly, we had clearly said in our suggestion. The person who is spreading this (unrest), one community is saying that the chief minister has originated this entire conflict. You can at least, Madam, you have another 49 members (MLAs) in your kitty in the state other than the chief minister. The Honourable Prime Minister, I am sure, can replace him immediately with no question asked!”

“My question is, Madam, is it so difficult to replace one man and bring peace to our area. If you can’t deliver peace and justice in such a small state, what will you give to this vast country...,” he said.

Modi had, according to reports emanating from Delhi, met Singh on Sunday, his first meeting since the ongoing strife, which erupted on May 3, 2023, in the presence of home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh.

Modi had said in the Rajya Sabha on July 6 that efforts were on to bring peace. He, however, has not visited the state even once.