Manipur: Modi government clueless in handling Manipur situation: Mallikarjun Kharge | India News

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of appearing to be clueless and rudderless in handling the Manipur situation which is evident from his statement in Parliament.

A day after the 21-party delegation of the opposition parties, including the Congress, concluded their two-day tour of violence-torn Manipur, Kharge alleged that while Manipur faced turmoil, the Modi government appeared indifferent.
He said the opposition INDIA bloc MPs, after visiting the state, heard heart-wrenching stories of pain from the people and they engaged with all communities.

Kharge said over 50,000 people, including 10,000 innocent children, are in relief camps with inadequate facilities, especially for women, and facing shortages of medicines and food. Further, economic activities have come to a halt, with children unable to attend school, farmers ceasing their farming and people grappling with both financial losses and psychological hardships, he added.
He noted that the divide between communities is deeply concerning. “Despite time for poll rallies, self-PR train inaugurations and attending BJP meetings, PM Modi seems to have no time to address the anguish and suffering of Manipur’s people or work towards resolving inter-community issues.”
Kharge further said, “The Modi government appears clueless and rudderless in handling the Manipur situation, evident in the absence of a comprehensive statement in Parliament.”
After touring Manipur, which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 3, the 21-member delegation submitted a delegation to state governor Anusuiya Uike in Imphal on July 30.
The memorandum said, “We have visited relief camps at Churachandpur, Moirang and Imphal and interacted with the victims and inmates in the relief camps. We are, indeed, very shocked and sad to hear the stories of anxieties, uncertainties, pains and sorrows of the individuals affected by the unprecedented violence unleashed by both sides since the beginning of the clashes. There is an anger and a sense of alienation amongst all communities, which has to be addressed without delay.”
It alleged that the “failure of both the central and state governments” to protect the lives and properties of the people of the two communities is apparent from the figures of more than 140 deaths, more than 500 injuries, burning of more than 5000 houses and internal displacement of more than 60,000 people.
It said, “From the reports of incessant firing and arson of houses in the last few days, it is established beyond doubt that the state machineries have completely failed to control the situation for the last almost three months. The condition in the relief camps is pathetic is to say the least. Special care needs to be taken for the kids on a priority basis. Students from different streams are facing an uncertain future, which has to be the priority of the state and the Union governments.
The memorandum noted that the continued internet ban for the last three months is aiding to the unsubstantiated rumours, which is adding to the existing mistrust.
The letter also criticised PM Modi. “Silence of honourable prime minister shows his brazen indifference to the violence in Manipur. We earnestly request you to restore peace and harmony by taking all effective measures, where justice should be the cornerstone.”
It finally said rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected persons is most urgent in order to bring peace and harmony.
The delegation requested the governor to apprise the Union government of the “complete breakdown” of law and order in Manipur for the last 89 days so as to enable them to intervene in the precarious situation in Manipur to restore peace and normalcy.
Commenting on the tour of the opposition party’s delegation, Congress MP and generals secretary in-charge of communications department Jairam Ramesh said the anger, anxiety, anguish, pain and sorrow of the people of Manipur seem to make absolutely no difference to the prime minister.
“While he is busy listening to his own voice and forcing down his ‘Mann ki Baat’ on crores of Indians, the 21-MP delegation of Team INDIA is talking about Manipur ki Baat with the governor of Manipur.”