Congress Leader Pawan Khera Criticizes PM Modi's Assam Visit, Urges Him to Travel to Manipur
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday launched a sharp critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his decision to visit Assam while overlooking the neighboring state of Manipur, which has been grappling with prolonged unrest. In a pointed social media post, Khera emphasized that Manipur should not be neglected, especially during times of crisis.
Sarcastic Appeal and Flight Ticket Gesture
In a post on the platform X, Khera directly addressed the Prime Minister, stating, "Dear PM Narendra Modi, we understand that poll-bound states are always your top priority. But Manipur should not be abandoned. The state has been burning since 2023 — and it is burning again." He highlighted that Manipur is merely an hour away from Assam and appealed for the Prime Minister to extend his trip to Imphal.
Adding a layer of sarcasm to his appeal, Khera shared what he claimed were flight tickets from Guwahati to Imphal. He urged the Prime Minister to "show that the PM cares" by making the short journey, arguing that his presence could have a reassuring and stabilizing impact on the people of Manipur.
Renewed Tensions and Violence in Manipur
Khera's appeal comes against a backdrop of renewed tension and violence in parts of Manipur. On February 6, protests against the swearing-in of the state's new deputy chief ministers, Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho, escalated into violent clashes in Churachandpur district. Security forces confronted demonstrators, with police reporting that the unrest began around 6 pm in the Tuibong Main Market area.
Officials noted that a large group of young protesters attempted to push security personnel back to their barracks during the incident. Earlier in the week, miscreants set fire to several houses in villages around Litan in Ukhrul district, further exacerbating the volatile situation.
Current Security Situation and Control Measures
According to Manipur Police, while the situation in the affected areas remains tense, it has largely been brought under control through coordinated efforts. A joint control room has been established at Litan police station to oversee and coordinate security measures. Senior police officers are currently camping in the area to closely monitor developments and ensure stability.
Police added that the overall law-and-order situation across the state remained normal over the past 24 hours, indicating some progress in managing the unrest. However, the underlying tensions persist, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and leadership attention.
PM Modi's Historic Landing at Northeast Emergency Facility
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic landing at the first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) of the northeast, located in Dibrugarh district, Assam. He arrived aboard a C-130J aircraft, taking off from the Chabua airfield and landing at the ELF in Moran on a stretch of National Highway-37.
The Rs 100-crore ELF, a 4.2-kilometer reinforced stretch on the Moran Bypass, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister during his visit. This strategic facility is designed to act as a multi-functional runway for Indian Air Force fighter jets and transport aircraft, significantly strengthening defence capabilities, logistics, and disaster response efforts in the region.
Officials explained that the ELF is engineered for both civil and military use, serving as a critical alternative to the Dibrugarh airport in emergency situations. Upon his arrival at the facility, PM Modi was received by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and other ministers of the Assam cabinet.
