Manipur Violence: PM Modi's Neglect Proof That BJP Interested In Prolonging Conflict, Says Congress

Leaders of 10 like-minded opposition parties held an in-depth discussion on Monday at Jairam Ramesh's official residence while waiting for an appointment with the prime minister.

Congress party on Monday stepped up its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre over tensions in Manipur saying "every passing day of neglect" confirms the belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are interested in prolonging the conflict. 

The statement by Congress came a day after it demanded that an all-party delegation be allowed to visit the state. 

"Manipur is burning for 49 days. On Day 50, will PM @narendramodi fly away to foreign lands, without uttering a single word on the ongoing crisis?" tweeted Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. 

"Hundreds dead, thousands rendered homeless, countless churches and places of worship destroyed, and a state administration that is part of the problem, not the solution. To make matters even worse, the violence is now spreading to Mizoram as well," he added. 

On Monday leaders of 10-like minded Opposition political parties from Manipur including Congress leaders from the state, had an in-depth discussion on the situation in the state at AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh's official residence here while waiting for an appointment with the prime minister.

Since the last many days, Manipuri leaders have been seeking time from Prime Minister Modi to ensure his intervention, Venugopal said.

"Every passing day of neglect confirms the belief that PM Modi and the BJP are interested in prolonging the conflict, not finding a solution," he charged.

Taking a swipe at PM Modi, the Congress leader asked when will the "self-styled vishwaguru" listen to "Manipur Ki Baat". 

"When will he (Prime Minister Modi) speak to the country, to make a simple call for peace? When will he demand accountability from the Union Home Minister and the Manipur CM for their total failure in bringing peace?" Venugopal asked.

Over 100 people have been killed so far in the ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities which broke out in Manipur on May 3 after a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts to protest against Meitei's reservation in the Scheduled Tribes list. 

Ten opposition parties of Manipur led by the Congress had on Saturday questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Modi on the Manipur situation while urging him to meet them and make an appeal for peace.