Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur, a state ravaged by ethnic violence. In a five-minute video posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Gandhi highlights the ongoing distress in the region, urging the Prime Minister to take immediate action.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
मणिपुर में हिंसा शुरू होने के बाद, मैं तीसरी बार यहां आ चुका हूं, मगर अफसोस स्थिति में कोई सुधार नहीं है – आज भी प्रदेश दो टुकड़ों में बंटा हुआ है।
घर जल रहे हैं, मासूम ज़िंदगियां खतरे में हैं और हज़ारों परिवार relief camp में जीवन काटने पर मजबूर हैं।
प्रधानमंत्री को मणिपुर खुद… pic.twitter.com/8EaJ2Tn6v8
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 11, 2024
Manipur in Distress
“Manipur is still in distress,” wrote Rahul Gandhi in his post. “Houses are burning, innocent lives are in danger, and thousands of families are forced to live in relief camps.” The Congress MP, who has visited Manipur three times since violence erupted in May 2023, emphasized that the state remains divided and in turmoil.
Call for PM Modi’s Intervention
In his video, Gandhi consoles multiple individuals affected by the ethnic clashes. He urges PM Modi to visit Manipur personally, listen to the people’s problems, and appeal for peace. “If the government wants to end the conflict, it can end very quickly,” Gandhi asserted during his visit to a relief camp in Churachandpur, Manipur.
Personal Stories from Relief Camps
The video features poignant testimonies from people in the relief camps. At the Jiribam relief camp in Manipur, a woman shared her anguish about her grandmother being trapped in a conflict zone, with no means of contact or escape. In Thalai, Assam, another woman lamented the loss of her brother due to insufficient medical care, with Gandhi promising the Congress party’s help in providing medicines at the camp.
Historical Context
The violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, in Churachandpur, following a Kuki-led solidarity march protesting a Manipur High Court order. The court had directed the state government to consider including the Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes list. This ignited a fierce conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities, resulting in over 220 reported deaths and widespread displacement.
Pledging Support
At the Moirang relief camp, Gandhi pledged to raise the issue in Parliament and put pressure on the government. “I can raise the issue and put pressure. But I can’t assure you about going back. Because that question will be answered by the government. In the next session, I’ll speak for you,” he told the camp’s inhabitants.
Rahul Gandhi’s appeal underscores the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis in Manipur. His visit and the heartfelt video aim to draw national attention to the plight of the affected families, urging the government to take swift and decisive action to restore peace and stability in the region.
