Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah asking him to ensure that the law is maintained in Manipur. He additionally wrote the ‘persevering with silence and inaction’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an injustice to the individuals of the northeastern state.
“I write to you on a matter of very grave concern. It has been almost nine months since Manipur erupted in violence, and the situation has only turned from bad to worse,” he claimed. Kharge detailed latest developments in the state, noting that on January 24 a gathering was convened of ministers/MPs/MLAs in the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal that’s closely guarded by central and state safety forces.
Many members current in the assembly have been compelled and coerced to attend this assembly by an armed group, he claimed. “Not only that, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President and MLA from Wangkhem, Keisham Meghachandra was brutally assaulted and tortured during this meeting,” Kharge stated. This stunning incident has occurred regardless of the heavy presence of central and safety forces, and intelligence personnel, he stated.
Kharge stated until date, there was no motion from Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the house ministry on this very disturbing subversion of democratic processes by a non-state actor. “It is shameful that the prime minister’s eloquent silence when it comes to Manipur seems to be the prevailing strategy from all important stakeholders in both the state and the Centre,” he alleged.
Kharge identified that he himself had visited Manipur on January 14 for the inaugural rally of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. “My experience was similar to what Rahul Gandhi noted in his previous visit to Manipur on 29th and 30th June, 2023 and recently again during the yatra that the Manipuri society remains bitterly divided and no concrete steps have been taken towards peace, relief and justice for those still suffering from the aftermath of the violence in the state since May 3 2023,” he stated.
All these occasions level to a “complete collapse” of the administration in Manipur, the Congress chief argued. “The continuing silence and inaction of the prime minister is an injustice to the people of Manipur,” he stated. Governments come and go, however it’s the accountability of constitutional functionaries to ensure that democratic constructions, establishments and processes are protected and preserved, Kharge stated in his letter to Shah.
“Our nation has just celebrated the 75th Republic Day. Manipur is an integral part of our Republic and I urge you to take urgent action to ensure that democracy and the rule of law prevails once more in a very important and valued part of our wonderfully diverse country,” he stated.
The violence, which claimed over 180 lives, erupted on May 3 final 12 months after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest in opposition to the Meitei neighborhood’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) standing. Meiteis account for about 53 p.c of Manipur’s inhabitants and dwell principally in the Imphal Valley, whereas tribals, which embody Nagas and Kukis, represent 40 p.c and reside primarily in the hill districts.
(With inputs from PTI)
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