NEW DELHI, Nov 19: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her immediate intervention in the ongoing crisis in Manipur. Kharge criticized the Union and state governments for their inability to restore peace and normalcy in the state, which has been grappling with ethnic violence and unrest for the past 18 months.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Kharge stated that over 300 lives, including those of women, children, and infants, have been lost. Nearly one lakh people have been displaced, forced to live in relief camps under dire conditions. “The agony of the people continues unabated,” the Congress chief wrote.
Kharge accused both the Union and Manipur state governments of failing to fulfill their responsibilities. “The people of the state have apparently lost confidence in both the governments and reasonably so. With every passing day, the people of Manipur are becoming insecure on their own soil. Having witnessed their infants, babies, children, and women being mercilessly killed, they are finding themselves completely isolated and helpless for more than 540 days now. Indeed, they have lost their faith in the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of the state to protect their lives and properties,” the letter stated.
The Congress chief also expressed concern over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from the state since May 2023, despite repeated demands from Manipur’s residents. “The refusal of the Prime Minister to visit Manipur is beyond anybody’s understanding,” Kharge remarked. In contrast, Kharge noted that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha had visited Manipur three times during this period, while he himself had also made visits to the state.
Kharge further highlighted the worsening economic and social conditions in Manipur, with retail inflation reaching 10%. The prolonged turmoil has led to the closure of businesses, loss of jobs, scarcity of essential commodities, and the shutdown of educational institutions. Internally displaced persons in relief camps are suffering immensely, with reports of suicides adding to the grim reality.
“National highways have been blocked since May 2023, cutting off essential supplies of food and medicine. The state is reeling under lawlessness, with the absence of rule of law, human rights violations, and a compromise on national security. These conditions are destroying the Right to Life with dignity guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution,” Kharge wrote.
Calling for President Murmu’s intervention, Kharge appealed for constitutional action to safeguard the lives and properties of Manipur’s citizens. “I consider it constitutionally imperative on your part, Hon’ble Madam, as the President of the Republic of India and the custodian of our Constitution, to uphold constitutional propriety and immediately intervene. I am confident that, through the intervention of your esteemed office, the people of Manipur will again live peacefully in their homes with security and dignity,” the Congress president added.
