Will speak on Manipur: Shah amid Parl impasse

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha on Monday that he was prepared for a debate on the violence in Manipur and urged Opposition leaders to allow a discussion on the issue as the second week of the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament opened to yet another day jammed with disruptions

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In a brief statement in the Lok Sabha during the post-lunch session, Shah said there were requests from both the ruling and Opposition members for a discussion on Manipur, where at least 150 people have died in ethnic violence since May.

"I am ready for a discussion in the House. I do not know why the opposition does not want to allow a discussion. It is my appeal to the opposition leaders to allow a discussion on this important issue and let the truth on the matter be placed before the nation important,". It is very the minister said.

A 30-second clip detailing the brutal sexual assault of two Kuki women by a mob that stripped them and paraded them naked on May 4 in Manipur surfaced last week and sparked a nationwide outcry. Since the session opened on May 20, it has been marred by disruptions with Opposition leaders demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi - who spoke outside Parliament and said he was pained and angry by the video-speak in the House.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged Opposition members to allow a discussion on the Manipur situation.

"The minister of the department concerned takes part in the debate. To ask for new traditions to be set and not allow the House to function in a planned manner is not in the national interest," the Speaker said.