Imphal, Oct 21: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on Wednesday, launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government over the continuing violence in Manipur, demanding answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the prolonged crisis in the state.
In a post on microblogging website, Kharge expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the four civilians and alleged that the BJP has failed to restore peace despite changes in the state’s political and administrative arrangements.
“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, criticising Modi for not visiting Manipur for nearly 29 months after the violence began.
He said more than 300 people has lost their lives since the violence erupted in May 2023, while 24,530 people continue to live in relief camps.
“How many more innocent lives must be lost before the Prime Minister and Home Minister act?” Kharge asked, demanding accountability for the continuing violence and a clear roadmap towards lasting peace.
Kharge questioned whether the imposition of President’s Rule, the change of Chief Minister and the subsequent restoration of an elected government had brought any meaningful improvement in the security situation.
He raised questions about the status of the Peace Committee constituted in June 2023 and the implementation of recommendations made by a Supreme Court-appointed committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal.
The Congress president also sought details of measures taken to protect displaced families. Referring to 31 unnatural deaths in the camps, he questioned what steps the government had taken to safeguard vulnerable residents.
Backing Kharge’s criticism, AICC member and Manipur Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei urged the Prime Minister and Home Minister to respond to the concerns raised by the Congress leadership with tangible action on the ground.
“I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will have time to reply, with positive actions on ground, to the serious concerns raised by Congress President Kharge for Manipur,” Bupenda shared on microblogging website.
The Congress has maintained that the recurring violence reflects the failure of the BJP-led governments to restore normalcy in Manipur.
The latest political confrontation comes amid renewed violence in the state. A 45-year-old Kuki villager was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday morning, while another man accompanying him escaped unhurt, police said.
In a separate incident on Monday morning, three people were killed and three others injured in an alleged attack by suspected Kuki militants at Uyumpok, near Nongsum Hills in Imphal East district.