In a press conference on Monday, the Congress party expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in Manipur and called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue without further delay. The party emphasized the need for the prime minister to break his "silence" on the matter and take immediate action to restore peace and trust in the administration.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stressed the importance of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Manipur, urging him to personally witness the agony of the people and make all possible efforts to bring normalcy back to the state. Ramesh questioned the prime minister's absence from the discourse on Manipur since the 100th episode of "Mann ki Baat" and urged him to prioritize "Manipur ki Baat" by addressing the situation promptly.
Furthermore, the Congress demanded that an all-party delegation be allowed to visit Manipur, enabling them to assess the affected areas and hold discussions with all stakeholders. Congress leader Mukul Wasnik highlighted the agonizing state of affairs in Manipur and appealed for the prime minister to visit the state and console the affected people, wiping away their tears.
Meanwhile, Bhakt Charan Das, AICC in-charge for Manipur, criticized the BJP government in Manipur, alleging their insincerity and undemocratic approach towards resolving the crisis. Das emphasized the need for a democratic initiative to restore peace and normalcy, suggesting the formation of a team comprising Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, or an all-party delegation.
The Congress leaders also appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene in the situation, emphasizing the importance of her efforts to bring peace to Manipur. They called upon the people of Manipur to take steps towards restoring peace, particularly for the sake of the future of the state's children.
The ongoing violence and arson, particularly in the peripheral areas where the communities affected by the ethnic violence reside, have been a cause for grave concern. The Congress party highlighted the cross-firing incidents in multiple districts, the blockage of national highways NH-2 and NH-37, and the shortage of essential commodities. They also expressed worry about the significant number of displaced individuals, with over 1 lakh people seeking refuge in 349 relief camps.
The death toll resulting from the ethnic violence has surpassed 100, with many more individuals still missing. The Congress party criticized both the state and Union governments for their actions, stating that the lack of progress in recovering arms and ammunition despite stern warnings from the home minister has undermined the people's confidence in the authorities.
The initial clashes in Manipur erupted on May 3 during a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organized in the hill districts in opposition to the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
(With PTI Inputs)
