New Delhi

Ahead of a planned debate in the European Parliament on Manipur’s status, India on Wednesday said it had made it clear to lawmakers that it was “absolutely” an internal matter for the country. A resolution on the status of Manipur was tabled in the Brussels-based European Union Parliament and was to be taken up on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the concerned EU parliamentarians were being contacted and made it clear to them. It has been said that this is an “exclusively” internal matter of India.

Violent clashes have been going on in Manipur for about two months, especially between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Answering a question on the matter in a press conference, Kwatra said, “This is a completely internal matter of India.” He said that New Delhi knows what is happening in the EU Parliament in Brussels. He said, “We contacted the concerned EU parliamentarians. But we made it clear that this is an entirely internal matter for India.” The opposition parties have been accusing the government of failing to stop the violence.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet, “The European Parliament is going to discuss Manipur today. Our Foreign Secretary has told the Europeans that this is an internal matter of India. It is an internal matter – on which PM Shut up.” And no all-party delegation has gone to Manipur ‘with the Prime Minister’s blessing’.” He said, “There is also no guarantee that if permission is granted in our Parliament, they will participate in the debate and speak on Manipur. “