Congress accuses Centre of failing to bring back peace and harmony to Manipur

Speaking at the Congress Bhawan in Imphal, All India Congress Committee (AICC) member Mukul Wasnik stated, "Extraordinary efforts from both the state and the Centre are required to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur."

Meitei community students and people from Manipur stage a protest over the recent violence in ther state, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (PTI)

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Accusing the Centre of being “indifferent” to the state of affairs in Manipur, a delegation of senior Congress leaders Friday emphasised the need to “restore peace and harmony” in the riot-torn state.

Addressing reporter’s at the Congress Bhawan in Imphal, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Mukul Wasnik said “extraordinary efforts both from state and centre are required to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.”

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“Nothing like this has happened before in Manipur or any other state, yet we don’t see any efforts from the government to bring back peace and harmony,” Wasnik alleged.

Violence had erupted between the Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki communities on May 3 during a rally by a tribal students’ group, and escalated into arson and riots across the state. The ethnic clashes that ensued has claimed 73 lives so far.

The AICC delegation, comprising Wasnik, the party’s Manipur in-charge Bhakta Charan Das, former MP Ajoy Kumar among others, had called on Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Thursday evening to discuss the prevailing situation of Manipur.

Wasnik further alleged that the government was yet to provide compensation to those affected by the violence. Besides, the government has failed to provide relief materials to relief camps, he added.

“Union ministers used to frequently visit Manipur but since May 3, no one has said a word, let alone visit the state,” he said, adding that they did not want to “politicise” the situation. “But we will point out the shortcomings of how the government is dealing with the crisis,” Wasnik said.

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Wasnik further said that a report on the involvement of militant cadres under Suspension of Operation agreement in the violence would also be submitted to AICC. He appealed to all sections of the society to cooperate in restoring peace and harmony in Manipur.