The Congress party has sharply criticised the Indian government for its handling of the ongoing crisis in Manipur, calling for the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over what it describes as his "total failure" to curb the violence.
In a forceful statement on Wednesday, the opposition party also took Prime Minister Narendra Modi to task for not visiting the strife-torn state.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate, speaking at a press conference with Manipur Congress chief K Meghachandra, Inner Manipur MP A Bimol Akoijam, and AICC in-charge of Manipur Girish Chodankar, condemned the government’s response to the crisis.
“A state of this country has been burning for the last 16 months and the Prime Minister of this country does not have even a minute to go to Manipur,” Shrinate said.
She expressed frustration over the Prime Minister's apparent lack of concern for Manipur, contrasting his focus on global issues with the ongoing turmoil in the state.
“I am proud of the fact that my leader Rahul Gandhi has gone to Manipur thrice and has made an appeal for peace. Where is the PM? Why should I not say that there should be an inquiry on the PM, PMO? Why should I not say that the home minister be sacked? He has been a total failure,” Shrinate asserted.
The Congress claims that Manipur has seen relentless violence, including arson, murders, and looting.
Shrinate reported alarming incidents: “11 to 12 people have died in the last 10 days, RPGs are now being waved in Manipur, and bombs are dropped on villages using drones.”
She also noted attacks on high-profile targets, including a former chief minister’s house and the Governor’s residence, along with curfews and internet bans affecting the state.
The situation in Manipur, which has been marked by severe clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, continues to deteriorate.
The Congress party highlights that more than 60,000 people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in relief camps.
The unrest has been compounded by a blockade of the state's two national highways, leading to inflation and shortages.
A former Governor, Anusuiya Uikey, was removed due to the escalating crisis, replaced by a temporary governor.
The Congress criticises this move as inadequate, questioning the government's commitment to resolving the situation.
“The constitutional mechanism has completely collapsed—60,000 people have been displaced and the situation is akin to a partition,” Akoijam said.
Shrinate also lambasted Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accusing him of being a “puppet of Delhi” who has failed to effectively address the violence.
She argued that Singh’s recent attempts to show leadership are merely an act, while the reality is that the state has continued to suffer under his watch.
In a separate statement, Meghachandra highlighted the scale of the violence: “The use of highly sophisticated weapons, drones, RPGs, and bombings in various places has resulted in many civilian deaths, while many others have been hospitalised. Numerous students have protested against the government.”
He expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Modi’s apparent indifference, questioning why the leader has not visited Manipur to assess the situation firsthand.
The situation has escalated in recent weeks, with intensified agitation by students leading to clashes with security forces. In response to the unrest, the Manipur government suspended internet services across the state for five days.
The ongoing conflict has already resulted in over 200 deaths and left thousands homeless.
The Congress party's criticism of the Centre's handling of the crisis reflects growing frustration among opposition parties and civil society organisations. They are calling for more decisive action from the government to address the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Manipur.
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