Kharge blames government for Manipur killings, demands answers from PM Modi and Amit Shah

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in an X post on Wednesday, hit out at the BJP over the four murders in Manipur on Monday and the ethnic violence that has plagued the state since 2023.

Kharge, who is also the leader of the Opposition, said: "Manipur is bleeding again because of BJP's incompetence! The horrific killing of four innocent civilians in the latest spate of violence is deeply condemnable.... Since May 2023, over 300 precious lives have been lost, while 24,530 are forced to be in relief camps in pathetic conditions...."

"The BJP's political machinations, from imposing President's Rule to replacing the Chief Minister and reinstalling its own government, have yielded no peace. PM Modi, who did not even set foot in Manipur for nearly 29 months after violence erupted, has abysmally failed on his so-called assurance in Parliament," he added.

Police said that one person was killed in stone pelting in Thoubal between two communities on Sunday, and three woodcutters were shot dead in Sagolmang by "unidentified armed militants" on Monday. On Sunday, three CRPF men were seriously injured in a bomb blast on Singjamei.

Kharge went on: "PM Modi and HM Amit Shah must answer three questions: What happened to the Peace Committee constituted by Amit Shah in June 2023? What concrete measures have been taken to restore peace, protect citizens and address the continuing security challenges in this sensitive border state? What action has been taken on the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Gita Mittal Committee's recommendations (on relief and rehabilitation)? Why are thousands of people still displaced, even as the Supreme Court has flagged 31 unnatural deaths in relief camps?"

"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.

Police fired tear gas to disperse irate kin of the slain woodcutters protesting outside chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh's residence in Imphal on Monday. INDIA parties in the state have asked the chief minister to call for an all-party meeting on the spiralling violence.

Skirmishes between several communities involved in the conflict have continued. A mob attacked labourers in Yaripok on Tuesday. Several houses were set ablaze in an abandoned village in Kamjong district on Wednesday.