Congress Critiques PM Modi for Ignoring Manipur Crisis During Mauritius Visit

Congress has criticized Prime Minister Modi for visiting Mauritius while Manipur remains tense. Jairam Ramesh stated Modi’s absence is an insult to the people. Manipur is currently under President’s Rule after the resignation of its chief minister, with over 200 deaths reported due to ethnic violence. A discussion on Manipur’s budget and President’s Rule is planned in the Lok Sabha.

On Tuesday, the Congress party criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of neglecting the ongoing tense situation in Manipur while he visits Mauritius. They have been urging the Prime Minister to visit Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence over a year ago. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that despite President’s Rule being in place, Modi’s absence is perceived as an insult to the residents of Manipur.

Ramesh expressed this sentiment in a tweet, stating, “It is Frequent Flier time and the PM is off to Mauritius now. But even after President’s Rule has been imposed in Manipur the situation remains tense.” He emphasized that the people of Manipur have been waiting for an official visit from the Prime Minister for nearly two years, which he considers disrespectful.

Currently, Manipur is under President’s Rule following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in early February. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assessed the security conditions and instructed security forces to facilitate the free movement of vehicles starting from March 8. The ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki groups have resulted in over 200 fatalities since May 2023.

In the legislative assembly, a discussion is scheduled regarding the statutory resolution to seek approval for the proclamation of President’s Rule in Manipur, alongside Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the Manipur budget for further discussion during this session.

The Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Modi for his lack of presence in Manipur amidst ongoing ethnic tensions and violence. This criticism culminates in a demand for a visit from the Prime Minister to address the situation, which they deem disrespectful to the people of the affected region. Meanwhile, President’s Rule has been enacted in Manipur following political changes, and discussions regarding the region’s budget and future governance are underway in the Lok Sabha.

Original Source: www.theweek.in