NEW DELHI: As fresh violence erupted in Manipur, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused the ruling party of deliberately allowing the state to burn, claiming it serves their divisive political agenda. He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not addressing the ongoing unrest in the state and further alleged that “he is only concerned about saving his chair.”
In a post on X, Kharge said, “Under your double-engine governments, neither Manipur is one, nor is Manipur safe.” He highlighted the suffering of the people, saying that since May 2023, the state has endured “unimaginable pain, division, and simmering violence,” which he believes has destroyed the future of its people.
“We are saying it with utmost responsibility that it looks that the BJP deliberately wants Manipur to burn, for it serves its hateful divisive politics,” he said.
The Congress chief further said, “The people of the state will never forgive or forget that Prime Minister Modi left them to fend for themselves and never set foot in their state to heal their miseries.” He added that at least 17 people have lost their lives since November 7, and the violence is spreading to neighbouring northeastern states.
Kharge condemned Prime Minister’s global travels amid unchecked violence in Manipur, contrasting it with Rahul Gandhi’s visit during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“Rahul Gandhi went to Manipur and did Bharat Jodo Yatra there…but Prime Minister Modi is travelling around the world. He is not concerned about the nation, he is only concerned about election campaigning and saving his chair. In Maharashtra, Prime Minister Modi abuses the Congress,” Kharge said.
Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also expressed his concerns over the ongoing violence in Manipur. He called the clashes “deeply disturbing” and urged Prime Minister Modi to visit the state and work towards restoring peace.
“After more than a year of division and suffering, it was the hope of every Indian that the Central and state governments would make every effort at reconciliation,” Gandhi said in a post on X. He reiterated his call for Modi to visit Manipur and help bring healing to the region.
The violence in Manipur has escalated, with protests intensifying after the bodies of three out of six missing persons were recovered from a river. Demonstrators attacked the residences of three state ministers and six MLAs on Saturday, leading the government to impose indefinite prohibitory orders in five districts and suspend internet services in parts of the state.
In Imphal, protesters ransacked the homes of several legislators, including that of chief minister N Biren Singh’s son-in-law, setting their properties on fire. Security forces responded with tear gas to disperse the crowds.