Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the continued violence in Manipur, asking how many more civilian lives must be lost before the government takes responsibility for restoring peace.
Reacting to the killing of four civilians in the latest violence, Kharge accused the BJP-led government of failing to ensure law and order, protect constitutional rights and safeguard national security in the strategically important border state.
“Manipur is bleeding again because of BJP’s incompetence,” Kharge said in a post on X, condemning the killings and expressing condolences to the bereaved families.
He said more than 300 people had been killed since the ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023, while 24,530 people continued to live in relief camps. Women, children and other vulnerable groups, he said, continued to bear the consequences of the prolonged crisis.
Questioning the effectiveness of the government’s response, Kharge said the imposition of President’s Rule, the replacement of the Chief Minister and the subsequent return of a BJP-led government had failed to deliver lasting peace. He also criticised Modi for not visiting Manipur for nearly 29 months after the violence began.
Kharge demanded answers on three key issues: the status of the Peace Committee constituted by Shah in June 2023; the action taken on the recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal; and the measures taken to ensure the safety, dignity and rehabilitation of displaced families.
He also questioned the continued displacement of thousands of people and sought accountability over the conditions in relief camps, referring to the Supreme Court’s observations concerning 31 unnatural deaths among inmates.
“After more than three years, over 300 deaths, President’s Rule and a change of Chief Minister, who will take responsibility for this monumental failure of governance? How many more innocent lives must be lost before the Prime Minister and Home Minister act?” Kharge asked.
He said Manipur deserved justice, dignity, constitutional rights and lasting peace, adding that the security and stability of the border state could not be compromised for political considerations.