BJP deliberately wants Manipur to burn: Congress urges PM to step in

The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP of “deliberately” keeping the situation tense in Manipur as “it is conducive for the BJP’s politics”.

Playing on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan — “Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai” (Safety in Unity), Kharge said that under the double engine government, “Na Manipur Ek Hai, Na Manipur Safe Hain” (Neither is Manipur united, nor safe).

“Since May 2023, the state has been undergoing unimaginable pain, division and simmering violence, which has destroyed the future of its people. We are saying it with utmost responsibility that it looks like that the BJP deliberately wants Manipur to burn, for it serves its hateful divisive politics,” Kharge said.

He said that at least 17 people had lost their lives since November 7. “New districts are being added to the list of strife-torn regions and the fire is spilling over to the bordering North East states. You have failed Manipur — a beautiful border state. Even if you visit Manipur in future, people of the state will never forgive or forget that you left them to fend for themselves, and never set foot in their state to heal their miseries and find a solution,” Kharge said.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called the recent violent clashes and continuing bloodshed in Manipur “deeply disturbing”.

“After more than a year of division and suffering, it was the hope of every Indian that the Centre and state government would have made every effort at reconciliation and found a solution. I urge the PM once again to visit Manipur and work towards restoring peace and healing in the region,” Gandhi said.

Pointing out reports of a mob attack on BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo, Congress’s General Secretary KC Vengopal asked how could ordinary citizens have any hope for peace at a time when even the ruling party MLAs are not safe.

“The crisis has spiralled out of control simply because of the PM and Home Minister’s active choice to fuel the politics of hatred. The Home Minister is busy campaigning, while the PM is off to yet another foreign visit, while Manipur burns again. It is our urgent plea to the Centre to restore peace in Manipur at the earliest,” he said.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the recent escalation of the conflict in Manipur is yet another reminder of the absolute apathy of the Modi government towards the state and its people. “The justifiable anger of people against the CM and PM is evident as protesters are proactively removing hoardings featuring the duo in the state. The people of Manipur can clearly see through the false propaganda of the “double engine” government,” he said.

Ruling, Opposition MLAs may resign: Ex-CM

• Senior Congress leader and former CM of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh on Sunday sought PM Modi’s immediate intervention to address escalating crisis in the state, warning that any delay may result in mass resignations by both opposition & ruling (BJP) MLAs.
• He added that the people of Manipur don’t support the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.