Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has sought permission from the central government to visit the violence-hit state of Manipur. Reports suggest that Banerjee has been closely monitoring the situation in the northeastern state, expressing concern over the ongoing incidents.She questioned the delay by central leaders in addressing the situation and stated that the country deserves to know the real picture in Manipur.
Addressing reporters at the West Bengal secretariat, Nabanna, Mamata Banerjee stated, “I want to be with the people of Manipur… I have no intention to breach any protocol but wish to be with the peace-loving people of the state.” She further mentioned that she had sent a letter to the central government on Monday, seeking permission for her visit.
Last week, Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to create conflicts similar to those seen in Manipur in West Bengal. The TMC leader has been striving to expand her party’s presence beyond West Bengal, with mixed results. While the TMC won five seats in the recently held elections for the Meghalaya assembly, it failed to make any headway in the Tripura assembly polls.
One important factor to note is that anyone wishing to visit, work, or engage in business in Manipur from outside the state is required to obtain an inner line permit. However, the issuance of this permit falls under the jurisdiction of the state government and not the central government.
The request by Mamata Banerjee to visit Manipur highlights her concerns over the ongoing violence and unrest in the state. By seeking permission from the central government, she aims to stand in solidarity with the people of Manipur and assess the situation firsthand. The response from the central government to her request remains to be seen, but her efforts to address the situation in Manipur indicate her commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in the region.
