West Bengal ready to shelter Manipuris, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal is ready to shelter people of Manipur if they seek refuge in the state, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said. Speaking in the state assembly during a debate on Manipur, Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act. She said that the Opposition was ready to help him. The assembly passed a motion, amid protests by BJP MLAs, condemning the almost 3-months-long violence in Manipur.

Banerjee urged non-BJP administered states to bring a similar motion. Bengal is the first state to pass such a motion. "We will stand by the people of Manipur. It is our constitutional responsibility," the CM said. "It is a matter of shame that Prime Minister Narendra Modi can go on foreign trips but he did not visit Manipur. He should give a statement on Manipur. If he cannot manage the situation, let him give us (INDIA) the responsibility. We will solve it," Banerjee said.

"I was not allowed to visit Manipur despite writing to Union home minister Amit Shah. A five-member Trinamool team visited the state and went to relief camps. "The situation in relief camps are precarious. There is no medicine and facilities are scarce, she said."


BJP MLAs protested on the floor during the discussion. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said the resolution was 'illegal' and said that he would move the Supreme Court against it. BJP MLAs created a ruckus while the CM was speaking. Later, they walked out from the assembly. "I thought there would be a constructive discussion on Manipur. Those who are not supporting Manipur are anti-northeast, anti-people, anti-peace and anti-humanity," Banerjee alleged.