Saturday, 21 December 2024
Saturday, 21 December 2024
As Manipur continues to burn, a chorus is growing, asking just what exactly has Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government done to stop the violence in the state that borders Myanmar?
Even on Monday, a protester was killed in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob that was vandalising properties in Manipur's Jiribam district, police said.
Union home minister Amit Shah will hold a key meeting to review the security situation in Manipur on Monday and is expected to chalk out a strategy to handle the "volatile" situation in the northeastern state.But the state is witnessing renewed protests after six individuals went missing from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam last Monday, following a deadly gunfight between armed men and security forces that claimed the lives of 10 Kuki youths.
On Sunday, two bodies, suspected to be among the missing six, were discovered floating in the Barak River in Assam's Cachar district.
As fresh violence erupted, Manipur Congress chief Keisham Meghachandra said, "This is the result of anarchy under this double-engine government. The unprecedented turmoil in Manipur has created a very horrific situation. Frustrated mobs have attacked the residences of BJP ministers and MLAs, including the in-laws of CM N Biren Singh, as well as Congress MLAs and offices. This mob violence is due to the failure of Biren Singh's administration. Despite this, the honourable PM remains silent and is currently on tour. He has never addressed the situation in Manipur,"
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, in a video message on X, expressed his concerns over the ongoing conflict in Manipur. He stated, "It has been more than a year since the conflict broke out, yet the Prime Minister refuses to act decisively. There seems to be a step-motherly attitude in the corridors of power in Delhi. They view Manipur as a small state and the conflict as merely a minor rift between two communities, failing to grasp the gravity of the situation."
He criticised Union home minister Amit Shah for failing to bring about any significant resolution despite conducting numerous review meetings on the law and order situation. Gogoi also dismissed the possibility of any conclusive outcomes from the day’s meeting. He added, "We cannot fathom why the Prime Minister refuses to take stock of the situation in Manipur and chooses to remain abroad. With this attitude, peace will not return to Manipur. We want peace, harmony, and the preservation of life in the state."
Even Subramanian Swamy took potshots at Modi.
“Why would the Prime Minister go to Nigeria but not to Manipur where innocent women and children are being killed because they are Hindu. Is the Hindutva practiced by Modi and advocated by us?” Swamy posted on X
TMC MP Mahua Moitra strongly criticised what she called the Union government’s indifference to the violence in Manipur. Taking to X, she stated, “If we let this BJP govt turn a blind eye & let Manipur burn yet again then each of us, every Indian has blood on their hands. PM & HM continue to campaign, mainstream media too busy brown nosing, judiciary not taking suo moto cognisance. Is Manipur not part of our Union?”
Trinamul leader and Rajya Sabha member Sagarika Ghose accused the Prime Minister of having no time to visit Manipur as it continues to burn. “The non biological has time to tweet about a propaganda film Sabarmati Report (made only to give him a clean chit), has time to collect overseas awards, has time to propagate vacuous slogans like “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain,” but has no time to visit Manipur. No action and accountability on Manipur. Parliament must be told: what is so special about N.Biren Singh? Why is he still in the CM’s chair with hundreds dead and 18 months of civil war?
She further said, “18 months of civil war, over 300 civilians killed still N. Biren Singh clings to his chair & non biological PM is embarking on yet another foreign jaunt & has still not visited Manipur. Yet Godi media still blindly protecting the incompetent delusional Modi.”
The Congress in Kerala on its X handle, has called for the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur, urging that control of the situation be handed over to the Indian Army. They emphasized that this transfer should occur without any interference from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting that this is the only way to restore stability in the state.
Thomas Issac, CPM leader and former finance minister of Kerala, wrote on X: “The civil war in Manipur that has entered 18 months is result of BJP’s failed social engineering strategy. An unbelievable callousness on the part of the Prime Minister who has not found time to visit the troubled state even once.Dismiss Biren govt and start peace process.
