Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has welcomed the visit of Supreme Court judges to Manipur but has questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet travelled to the violence-hit state.
Ramesh pointed out that in the past 22 months, Manipur had witnessed large-scale violence, resulting in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of approximately 60,000 people who continue to live in relief camps.
He also noted the prevailing fear and uncertainty among communities despite the imposition of President’s Rule.
"We welcome the six judges who have gone to Manipur. In the last 22 months, hundreds of people have died, around 60,000 have been displaced and are staying in relief camps, and even today, there is an atmosphere of fear and doubt among the communities in Manipur. President's Rule was imposed on February 13, but the question arises: Even after the Supreme Court itself on August 1, 2023, said that the constitutional system in Manipur had been completely demolished, why did it take 18 months to impose President's Rule? It is good that Supreme Court judges have gone, but the bigger question is when will the Prime Minister visit?" said Ramesh.
SC judges visit relief camp
A delegation of Supreme Court judges visited a relief camp in Churachandpur, Manipur, on Saturday.
The visiting delegation comprised Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, MM Sundresh, KV Viswanathan, and N Kotishwar.
Also read: Five-member Supreme Court delegation departs for Manipur
Meanwhile, Ramesh criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for not addressing the Manipur crisis during his recent speech in Parliament on the working of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"Yesterday, the Home Minister gave a response in the Rajya Sabha for about four hours about the work of his Home Ministry, but he did not say much about Manipur. In February 2022, the NDA won the elections with a huge majority, but within 15 months, Manipur started burning. There is no answer to that. There is no answer to why the Prime Minister did not go," he remarked.
Ramesh also questioned why it took 18 months to impose President’s Rule despite the Supreme Court’s observations in August last year regarding the breakdown of constitutional machinery in Manipur. He further criticised Shah for visiting Mizoram while allegedly ignoring the situation in Manipur.
"There is no answer to why there was so much delay in imposing the President's Rule. The Home Minister goes to Mizoram, why didn't he go to Manipur? And the things that the Chief Minister of Mizoram has said after going to America raise many questions," he said.
Urging the Prime Minister to visit Manipur, Ramesh suggested that Modi could make time for the visit either before or after his scheduled trip to Thailand.
"We hope that on his way to Bangkok or while returning from Bangkok, the Prime Minister takes some time to visit Manipur. The Prime Minister's visit is crucial for a healing touch," he added.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Bangkok from April 2 to 4 to attend the sixth BIMSTEC Summit.
Manipur has remained tense since violence erupted on May 3 last year, following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribal Students’ Union (ATSU) to oppose the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.
President’s Rule was imposed on February 13 after a report from the state governor.
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