Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has sought the intervention of President Droupadi Murmu in restoring peace in Manipur saying both the state and central government's have failed.
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In a two-page letter to Murmu on Tuesday, November 19, Kharge highlighted the ongoing ethnic violence and criticised the Manipur government and the Centre for failing to ensure law and order over the past 18 months.
“I consider that it has become constitutionally imperative on the part of yourself,” he stated, “as the President of the Republic of India and the custodian of our Constitution to uphold the constitutional propriety and immediately intervene to ensure the protection of lives and properties of our own citizens in Manipur, as enshrined in the Constitution.”
“I am confident that, through your intervention of your esteemed office,” Kharge further wrote, “the people of Manipur will again live peacefully in their homes in security with dignity.”
Kharge’s letter outlined in detail the devastating toll of the violence, which has claimed over 300 lives, including women, children, and infants. He noted that nearly 100,000 people have been displaced, many of whom now live in relief camps.
The Congress chief also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to visit Manipur since the violence erupted in May 2023, despite public demands for his presence. “The refusal of the Prime Minister to visit Manipur is beyond anybody's understanding,” Kharge remarked.
The letter additionally mentions the escalating ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which have resulted in over 300 deaths since the violence began last year. Due to the mismanagement of the crisis, the Congress held Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh responsible, and also called for the former’s resignation.
Incidentally, the recent ruling NDA-led meeting held on Monday passed a resolution demanding a “mass operation” against Kuki militants and called for a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a contentious law in the region. Meanwhile, internet suspensions across multiple districts remain in place, extended until November 20, underscoring the volatile situation.
