'Mann Ki Baat Should Have First Included Manipur Ki Baat': Congress Chief Kharge Hits Out At PM Modi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at PM Modi over his silence on Manipur violence and said, "Your Govt is asleep at the wheel while Manipur burns".

The Congress on Sunday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "silence" on Manipur. The grand old party's chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Modi government is "asleep at the wheel while Manipur burns". Rajya Sabha MP and General Secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a jibe at the Prime Minister and said "one more 'Mann Ki Baat' but 'Maun' (silence) on Manipur". Ethnic violence in Manipur broke out between the people of Meitei and Kuki communities a month ago. More than a hundred people have lost their lives in this violence. 

While hitting out at PM Modi, the Congress chief said, "Your Mann Ki Baat should have first included Manipur Ki Baat, but in vain. The situation in the border state is precarious and deeply disturbing. Looks like your Govt does not consider Manipur as a part of India. This is unacceptable. Your Govt is asleep at the wheel while the state burns."

Khargeb urged PM Modi to restore normalcy by taking citizen groups in confidence and allowing an all-party delegation to visit the state.

Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh remarked, "So one more Mann ki Baat but Maun on Manipur. The PM patted himself on the back for India's great capabilities in disaster management. What about the entirely man-made (actually self-inflicted) humanitarian disaster that is confronting Manipur. Still no appeal for peace from him. There is a non-auditable PM-CARES Fund but does the PM even care for Manipur is the real question."

These statements came just after PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast in which the Prime Minister said that no one has any control over natural calamities but the strength of disaster management that India has developed over the years is becoming an example today.

Ten opposition parties of Manipur on Saturday, led by the Congress, questioned the silence of PM Modi on the ongoing violence in the northeastern state. They collectively urged him to meet the clashing communities and make an appeal for peace.

The first clash broke out between Meiteis and Kukis on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised to protest against the Meitei community's demand for getting the status of Scheduled Tribe (ST).

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and reside mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals - Nagas and Kukis - make up 40 per cent of the population and live in the hill districts.