Whether PM visits Manipur non-issue, we are in touch with him 24/7: CM Biren Singh
Imphal, Jul 10: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the state or not is a non-issue, since his government is in touch with him round the clock.
Singh's statement came two days after Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi visited Manipur and requested Modi to come to the ethnic strife-affected state to offer some solace to the people.
"It is not a question of the PM visiting the state or not. The coming of the PM depends on the situation," the chief minister told reporters on the sidelines of the extended executive meeting of the state BJP.
Singh, however, did not clarify what he meant by "the situation".
"We are maintaining contact with him 24/7 and working under his guidance. All relief works, security measures, food and medical provisions are being carried out following the Prime Minister's advice and consent," he said.
Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state claimed more than 200 lives since May last year.
"Reconciliation efforts between the two communities are going on. We have to solve the issues," Singh said.
The recent flood in the state was among the issues discussed in the BJP meeting, he said.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
