New Delhi, Nov 18: Amid escalating violence in Manipur, the Congress Party has called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state before the upcoming Parliament session, while demanding the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for what they term the “complete failure” of the BJP-led government in managing the crisis.
At a press conference on Monday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, along with Manipur Congress President K Meghachandra Singh and AICC in-charge of the state Girish Chodankar, sharply criticized the government’s handling of the situation in Manipur, which has been marred by ethnic violence since May 3, 2023. More than 300 people have died and over 60,000 displaced as a result of the conflict.
Ramesh emphasized that Prime Minister Modi must visit Manipur to meet with political leaders, civil society groups, and those in relief camps before the Parliament session begins on November 25. He also called for an all-party meeting, both at the state and national levels, to discuss the ongoing crisis and find a way forward.
The Congress leaders also called for the resignation of both Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh. “The strange ‘jugalbandi’ between the Home Minister and the failed Chief Minister is evident. Why has the Home Minister not taken action on the CM’s failures? Why is he trying to protect him?” Ramesh questioned.
Ramesh also criticized the lack of a full-time governor since July 31, 2024, pointing out that the previous governor, who was from the Scheduled Tribe community, was removed within 18 months, further destabilizing the state.
Echoing Ramesh’s remarks, Meghachandra Singh, the Manipur Congress chief, noted that the PM had previously stated during a 2017 election campaign that those who cannot ensure peace in Manipur have no right to govern the state. He urged Modi to take immediate action to restore peace in the state, which has been ravaged by violence and instability.
Chodankar, AICC in-charge of Manipur, slammed the “double engine” government, referring to the BJP’s control of both the Centre and the state, as the root cause of the ongoing violence. He highlighted that frustration in the state has led to abductions and other forms of violence, adding that the lack of leadership in Manipur has made the crisis worse. “There is no one to take the state out of this crisis. This is a humanitarian disaster,” he said.
The Congress also pointed to human rights violations in the state, criticizing the central government for not doing enough to address the ongoing suffering. Violence continues to ravage the state, with incidents of mob attacks and property damage reported in various districts. On Monday, offices of both the Congress and BJP were ransacked in Jiribam, while the ancestral house of a BJP MLA was vandalized in Imphal Valley. The security forces also thwarted an attempt by agitators to storm the residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
