‘Time For President’s Rule’: Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor Slams BJP Govt Over Manipur Violence

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor called for the imposition of ‘President’s rule’ in the state while hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Manipur violence.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday called for the imposition of ‘President’s rule’ in the state while hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Manipur violence. He said the voters of Manipur are feeling "grossly betrayed" just after a year of electing the BJP to power. His scathing attacks on the BJP have come after the state witnessed violent clashes last week, that broke out between tribals and members of the majority Meitei community. The violence has so far displaced thousands of people and killed at least 54.

In a tweet, Tharoor said, “As the Manipur violence persists, all right-thinking Indians must ask themselves what happened to the much-vaunted good governance we had been promised."

He also said the voters of Manipur are feeling "grossly betrayed" after putting the BJP in power in their state. 

Calling for the “President's Rule” in the state, Tharoor said that the state government is just not up to the job they were elected to do.

So far, a total of 23,000 civilians have been rescued from the violence-hit Manipur and moved to operating bases/military Garrisons, with the help of the Army and Assam Rifles, reported ANI. 

The Army has also enhanced surveillance efforts through aerial surveillance, movement of UAVs and redeployment of Army Helicopters within Imphal Valley.

Kiren Rijiju Says Government Taking All Steps To Restore Peace

Earlier on Saturday, Union Minister Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP-led central government is taking all the necessary measures to restore peace and normalcy in the violence-hit Manipur. While talking to reporters, he said the Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself was monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps to contain the trouble in Manipur, in which the death toll has increased to 54, reported news agency PTI.

Rjiju further emphasised, "Peace is required to take forward the development of the beautiful northeast as a society can progress only when there is peace.”

While speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Rijiju said, "Communal violence between two communities is a very unfortunate incident. Many lives have been lost and there is damage to property," as reported by News agency PTI.