Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on October 21 accused the BJP-led government of failing to restore peace in Manipur, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the continuing violence and demanding accountability for the loss of lives and prolonged displacement.
“Manipur is bleeding again because of BJP’s incompetence! The horrific killing of four innocent civilians in the latest spate of violence is deeply condemnable. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Kharge said in a post on X.
He said the continuing bloodshed in the strategically important border state reflected the government’s failure to maintain law and order, protect constitutional rights and ensure national security.
Kharge said more than 300 people had been killed since the ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023, while 24,530 people continued to live in relief camps under poor conditions. Women, children and other vulnerable groups remained among the worst affected by the prolonged crisis, he added.
Questioning the BJP’s handling of the situation, the Congress president said the imposition of President’s Rule, the change of chief minister and the subsequent return of a BJP-led government had failed to ensure lasting peace.
He also criticised Modi for not visiting Manipur for nearly 29 months after the outbreak of violence, alleging that the Prime Minister had failed to fulfil his assurance of restoring normalcy.
Kharge raised questions about the Peace Committee constituted by Shah in June 2023, seeking details of the concrete steps taken to end the violence, protect residents and address security concerns in the sensitive border state.
He also sought details of the action taken on the recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal. He questioned why thousands of people remained displaced and what measures had been taken to ensure their safety, dignity and rehabilitation.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations on 31 unnatural deaths in relief camps, Kharge sought accountability for the conditions in which displaced people continued to live.
“After more than three years, over 300 deaths, President’s Rule and a change of Chief Minister, who will take responsibility for this monumental failure of governance? How many more innocent lives must be lost before the Prime Minister and Home Minister act?” he asked.
Kharge said the people of Manipur deserved justice, dignity, constitutional rights and lasting peace, adding that the security and stability of a strategically important border state could not be compromised for political considerations.
The ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities, which erupted in May 2023, has claimed at least 306 lives, while 49 people remain missing and thousands have been displaced from their homes.
Meanwhile, tensions have also persisted in several areas following clashes between Kuki and Naga communities in recent months, adding to the state’s continuing security challenges.