PM Modi's silence shows his 'brazen indifference' to Manipur violence: I.N.D.I.A MPs to Governor

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also said, 'The anger, anxiety, anguish, pain and sorrow of the people of Manipur seem to make absolutely no difference to the PM'.

Stepping up the attack on the government for the violence in Manipur, 21 MPs belonging to the I.N.D.I.A. alliance on Sunday charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence "shows his brazen indifference" to the violence as there is a complete breakdown of law and order in the state for the last 89 days.

"The failure of both the Central and state governments to protect the lives and properties of the people of the two communities (Kukis and Meiteis) is apparent from the figures of more than 140 deaths, more than 500 injuries, burning of more than 5,000 houses and internal displacement of more than 60,000 people. Silence of the prime minister shows his brazen indifference to the violence in Manipur," said a memorandum submitted by the MP delegation to Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Sunday.

Also Read | Manipur Guv agreed necessary to resolve the issue together: I.N.D.I.A delegation

The MPs, divided into two groups, visited the conflict-hit areas in both the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur and Meitei-inhabited Bishnupur and Imphal East districts on Saturday. On Sunday morning, they met the Governor and submitted the memorandum.

Failure of both union and state govts to protect lives and properties is apparent from the figures of more than 140 deaths, more than 500 injuries, burning of more than 5k houses and internal displacement of more than 60k people: I.N.D.I.A MPs to Manipur Governor @DeccanHerald pic.twitter.com/3qJOdyi2uf

— Shemin (@shemin_joy) July 30, 2023

Almost at the same time, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "The anger, anxiety, anguish, pain and sorrow of the people of Manipur seem to make absolutely no difference to the Prime Minister. While he is busy listening to his own voice and forcing down his ‘Mann ki Baat’ on crores of Indians, the 21 MP delegation of Team INDIA is talking about Manipur Ki Baat with the Governor of Manipur."

The anger, anxiety, anguish, pain and sorrow of the people of Manipur seem to make absolutely no difference to the Prime Minister. While he is busy listening to his own voice and forcing down his ‘Mann ki Baat’ on crores of Indians, the 21 MP delegation of Team INDIA is talking… pic.twitter.com/vE0WkheCet

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 30, 2023

"From the reports of incessant firing and arson of houses in the last few days, it is established beyond doubt that the state machinery has completely failed to control the situation for the last almost three months," the MPs said in the memorandum.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters outside Raj Bhavan that violence caused a strong sense of mistrust in both the Meitei and Kuki communities as the governments miserably failed to maintain law and order. "We will raise all the issues on the floor of the Parliament when we get the opportunity. The Manipur situation is becoming a threat to national security."

Chowdhury said the Manipur Governor suggested that an all-party delegation should visit Manipur and talk to leaders of both communities to find a solution to the conflicts.

Nearly 150 people have died and over 60,000 others have been displaced due to the clashes since May 3. PM Modi broke his silence on July 20 when a video showing two Kuki women being paraded naked went viral and outraged the nation.

DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi told reporters that there is no political will to bring the conflicts to an end. "We want a debate, want the PM to listen and give an explanation to what is happening in Manipur. People of Manipur do not have confidence in the government," she said.

The MPs also urged the Governor to apprise the Centre about the "complete breakdown of the law and order" so as to enable them to intervene in the "precarious situation" for restoring peace and harmony in the state.