Amid a surge in violence in Manipur, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing his government’s handling of the situation as an “abject failure” and “unforgivable.” The opposition party demanded the immediate dismissal of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, holding the Union government responsible for the deteriorating security situation in the state.
The Congress also called for the Supreme Court-mandated Manipur Commission of Inquiry to expedite its investigation into the ethnic violence that has engulfed the state. The comments come in the wake of fresh violence, with at least five people killed in Jiribam district on Saturday. According to police reports, militants entered a house and killed a man in his sleep, sparking retaliatory violence between members of warring communities that left four more armed men dead.
Escalating violence in Manipur
Jiribam, an ethnically diverse region, had largely remained untouched by the ethnic clashes that have rocked the Imphal Valley and its surrounding hills. However, the killing of a 59-year-old man by militants from another community in June ignited tensions, which have now escalated further.
Addressing the escalating crisis, Kharge took to X (formerly Twitter), criticizing Prime Minister Modi’s absence and silence on the issue. “PM Modi’s abject failure in Manipur is unforgivable,” Kharge wrote, highlighting the words of Anusuiya Uikey, the former governor of Manipur, who said the people of the state feel ignored and abandoned by the Prime Minister.
“In the past 16 months, Prime Minister Modi has not spent a single second in Manipur, even as violence continues unabated and people suffer the consequences of Modi-Shah’s complicity,” Kharge tweeted, referencing Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Congress leader accused the central government of turning a blind eye to the suffering in Manipur, while focusing instead on election campaigns in other states.
Calls for dismissal of Manipur Chief minister
Kharge’s attack also extended to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who he described as incompetent and ineffective. “BJP’s Manipur CM has set a record in shamelessly brazening out his rank incompetence,” Kharge said, adding that the Chief Minister had even called for the transfer of the Unified Command—which oversees security operations in the state—from the Union government to the state.
The Unified Command, currently managed by officials from the Union Home Ministry, Manipur’s state security adviser, and the Indian Army, is responsible for coordinating military and law enforcement efforts to maintain peace. Kharge expressed alarm that the Chief Minister would make such a demand, particularly as violence in the state appears to be spiraling out of control.
Kharge further alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has abdicated his constitutional responsibilities, choosing to focus on political rallies rather than addressing the volatile situation in Manipur. “Just like the PM, it looks like the Union Home Minister has also given up on his Constitutional responsibility to ensure security in Manipur,” he said.
A national security threat
The violence in Manipur has taken a more dangerous turn, with the introduction of drone and rocket-propelled grenade attacks, raising concerns that the conflict could develop into a national security threat. Kharge emphasized the need for immediate and decisive action, accusing the BJP of staging a “resignation drama” rather than taking meaningful steps to resolve the crisis.
“The Congress demands that the Manipur CM should be immediately dismissed. The Union government must take full responsibility for the sensitive security situation, and there should be a massive crackdown on all insurgent groups, with the help of state forces,” Kharge declared.
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Supreme court inquiry must expedite investigation
The Congress chief also called for the Supreme Court-mandated Manipur Commission of Inquiry to accelerate its probe into the ethnic violence. He stressed that the Modi government must not interfere with or misuse investigative agencies like the CBI and NIA to manipulate the findings.
“Attempts to foster peace and normalcy must start immediately by taking all political parties, representatives, and civil society members from every community on board,” Kharge stated, underscoring the importance of a unified approach to resolving the conflict.
The Congress leader questioned the Prime Minister’s reluctance to engage directly with the crisis in Manipur, asking, “People of Manipur are asking, why doesn’t Modi ji want to end violence in the state?”
The ethnic conflict in Manipur
The violence in Manipur, which started in May 2023, stems from ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands of people. Despite various peace efforts, including visits by Amit Shah and the deployment of additional security forces, tensions have continued to rise.
The Congress has been vocal in its criticism of the Modi government’s handling of the situation, with Kharge’s latest remarks adding to the mounting pressure on the ruling BJP to address the crisis with urgency and empathy. As the violence in Manipur escalates, the demand for a political and security solution becomes ever more pressing.
