Manipur minister says 'Save Manipur' slogans at CJP protest aimed at provoking youth

Guwahati: Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said those raising "Save Manipur" slogans during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar were merely trying to provoke Manipuri youth. He said Manipur would only be saved by its own people, not through such sloganeering.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Imphal, the home minister accused opposition parties of inciting violence during the students' protest in New Delhi.

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"Those who raised the 'Save Manipur' slogan are trying to mislead our youth. Manipur will be saved by us, not by those raising slogans at Jantar Mantar. Yeh sab dikhawa hai (All this is nothing but a show)," he said.

Govindas said the CJP's protest at Jantar Mantar and the dharna led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi outside the Prime Minister's residence were aimed at disrupting the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

"There are students protesting in the front, but behind them are political workers from the AAP, Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Communist parties. There are hardly any CJP supporters at the protest venue. I only saw workers from opposition parties inciting violence," he said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated earlier in the day that nothing was more important than the welfare and future of the country's youth, and that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in the paper leak case. Govindas urged young people to place their trust in the prime minister.

The home minister also said there were people unhappy with the Centre's recent changes to the FCRA rules. He alleged that the ongoing protest in New Delhi was being funded from outside the country by those who did not want India to rise.

"Where are those food packets and water bottles coming from at the protest venue?" he asked.

Govindas further accused opposition parties of tarnishing the country's image. He said the issue should be debated in Parliament and differences resolved there.

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When asked about the damage to a Bailey bridge in Manipur's Kamjong district on Tuesday, the home minister said police were trying to ascertain the exact cause of the incident.

According to him, two versions have emerged. One suggests the bridge was blown up by militants from across the border, while the other indicates it may have been the handiwork of miscreants within the state attempting to slow the movement of Assam Rifles personnel.