Amid ongoing unrest in Manipur, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, blaming the “inordinate inaction” of both the central and state governments for failing to restore peace. He called for the President’s intervention to protect the lives and properties of the people in the state.
In his letter, Kharge highlighted that the people of Manipur have lost confidence in the governments at both the state and central levels. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared the letter on X, stating, “@INCIndia President @kharge ji has just written to the President of India on the deteriorating situation in Manipur and the Union Govt’s abysmal failure there over the last eighteen months.”
Kharge detailed the tragic toll of the unrest, stating that over 300 people, including women and children, have lost their lives in the past 18 months, while nearly a lakh people have been displaced, forced to live in relief camps. “The agony of the people continues unabated,” he wrote.
The Congress chief expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions in the state, saying the unrest has disrupted the economy and living conditions, with inflation rising to 10%. He noted that businesses have shut down, jobs have been lost, schools and educational institutions remain closed, and essential commodities are in severe shortage. Highways have been blocked since May 2023, and internally displaced persons in relief camps have been dying by suicide.
Kharge criticised both the central and state governments for failing to restore peace and normalcy, saying, “The people of the state have apparently lost confidence in both governments and reasonably so.” He added that the situation has left the people feeling “isolated and helpless” for over 540 days.
The Congress leader also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur, despite the ongoing crisis. He contrasted this with Rahul Gandhi’s three visits to the state in the past 18 months and his own visit. “The refusal of the Prime Minister to visit Manipur is beyond anybody’s understanding,” he said.
Kharge went on to accuse the governments of deliberate negligence, stating, “The deliberate acts of omission and commission, as indeed inordinate inaction on the part of both the central and state governments, have resulted in complete lawlessness, absence of the rule of law, violations of human rights, compromise of national security, and suppression of fundamental rights of citizens.”
In his letter, Kharge urged President Murmu to intervene as the “custodian of the Constitution” to uphold constitutional propriety and ensure the protection of the lives and properties of the people of Manipur. “I am confident that, through your intervention, the people of Manipur will again live peacefully in their homes in security with dignity,” he concluded.
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Fresh Developments in Manipur
Meanwhile, several Manipur MLAs passed a resolution on Monday listing their demands, including a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state. The Manipur government also announced an extension of the temporary suspension of internet and mobile data services in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Thoubal, and Churachandpur districts. The suspension, imposed to prevent further unrest, will remain in effect until 5:15 PM on Wednesday, November 20.
