NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh launched a scathing attack on the central government of India over the escalating violence in Manipur, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained “silent,” Home Minister Amit Shah proved “ineffective,” and Chief Minister Biren Singh was “non-functional” amidst the turmoil.
Ramesh made these remarks during a national convention on peace in Manipur held at the Harkishan Singh Surjeet Bhawan, where leaders from various political parties addressed the gathering.
Taking to Twitter later, Ramesh revealed his participation in the convention organized by 10 like-minded political parties, expressing his concerns about the political, administrative, and humanitarian crises unfolding in the state of Manipur. He emphasized the importance of consensus-building and restoring trust through active listening and sensitivity, acknowledging that the process would be long and require substantial time and effort.
“While Manipur is burning, the prime minister is ‘silent,’ the home minister is ‘ineffective,’ and the chief minister is ‘non-functional,'” remarked Ramesh, highlighting the lack of decisive action from the central and state leadership in addressing the situation.
Congress Leader Proposes Removal of Manipur’s Chief Minister
Ramesh proposed that an immediate replacement of the chief minister was necessary to move forward. He outlined two fundamental steps that needed to be taken: ruthless disarmament of all armed groups without discrimination and the initiation of a process to foster an atmosphere of trust, harmony, and reconciliation.
Referring to former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s tenure, Ramesh acknowledged the efforts made over ten years to restore order and begin the process of development. He expressed hope that Manipur, once an example of unity through diversity in India, would soon regain normalcy.
Ramesh’s remarks follow the Congress party’s assertion that peace in violence-stricken Manipur was unattainable under Chief Minister N Biren Singh. They demanded the immediate replacement of the chief minister during an all-party meeting convened by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Parliament building. Ibobi Singh, the former chief minister, presented an eight-point charter of demands on behalf of the Congress, expressing regret at not being allowed sufficient time to present his views at the end of the meeting.
Since the eruption of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, nearly 120 people have lost their lives, over 3,000 have been injured, and numerous houses have been torched, rendering many people homeless. The violence primarily stems from clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
