Manipur all-party meet: Cong questions PM Modi’s absence, CPM says removing CM should be the first step

The main Opposition party also alleged that the prime minister’s absence from such a serious meeting shows his “cowardice and unwillingness to confront his failures.”

The CPM too said the removal of Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh should be the first political step.

“With the state government in shambles and no clear line of authority established, the first step necessary is a political one…that is the removal of the Biren Singh government. Without such a step, there can be no way out of the mess created by the narrow and sectarian politics of the ruling party in the North East,” the CPM said.

Reacting to the government’s decision to consult political parties, AICC general secretary in charge of organisation K C Venugopal said, “Well after 50 days of death and destruction in Manipur, Home Minister’s call for an all-party meeting is too little too late. The government only woke up after Sonia Gandhi ji’s address to the people of Manipur.”

“At the outset, the PM’s absence from such a serious meeting shows his cowardice and unwillingness to confront his failures. Even when multiple delegations sought meetings with him, he had no time for them. The Home Minister himself has presided over this situation and made no progress, in fact, things have worsened since his visit. Can we expect genuine peace under his stewardship?” he asked.

“Moreover, the continuation of the partisan state government and non-implementation of the President’s Rule is a travesty,” he added.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Manipur has been burning for the last 50 days but PM Modi has remained silent. “An all-party meeting is called when the Prime Minister is not in the country. It is clear..this meeting is not important for the Prime Minister,” Gandhi said.

50 दिनों से जल रहा है मणिपुर, मगर प्रधानमंत्री मौन रहे।

सर्वदलीय बैठक तब बुलाई जब प्रधानमंत्री खुद देश में नहीं हैं!

साफ है, प्रधानमंत्री के लिए ये बैठक महत्वपूर्ण नहीं है।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 22, 2023

Venugopal said that “any effort for peace must take place in Manipur, where the warring communities are brought on the discussion table and a political solution is arrived at” and argued, “this effort will lack seriousness if it is done sitting in Delhi.”

“The entire nation expects a serious intervention from the Union Government, which has been missing in action so far,” he added.

Since large-scale clashes between the plain-dwelling Meitei community and the Kuki tribe were first reported in Manipur from May 3 to 5, more than 110 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced.

In the second wave of violence, arson and shootings in areas between the Kuki-dominated hills and the Meitei-dominated valley have been reported. They have also included attacks on the homes of elected representatives, including many from the ruling BJP.