Days after his visit to Manipur, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, released a five-minute-long video on Thursday, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the ethnic violence-hit state. Gandhi, who had visited a relief camp in Manipur’s Bishnupur on Monday and met with victims of the clashes, expressed deep concern about the lack of improvement in the situation.
In a video posted on his X handle, Gandhi stated, “Unfortunately, there is no improvement in the situation. Even today, the state is divided into two parts.” He highlighted the ongoing violence, with houses being burnt, innocent lives in danger, and thousands of families forced to live in relief camps.
Emphasizing the need for immediate intervention, Gandhi urged Prime Minister Modi to visit Manipur personally, listen to the concerns of the people, and appeal for peace. He stated, “The Prime Minister should personally visit Manipur, listen to the problems of the people of the state and appeal for peace.”
Gandhi further asserted that the Congress Party and the INDIA alliance would raise the need for peace in Manipur with full force in Parliament, aiming to pressure the government to end the tragedy. He shared his interactions with people in the video, responding to a woman’s plea for help with a promise to raise the issue in Parliament and put pressure on the government. However, he acknowledged the limitations of his actions, stating that he could not guarantee their return home as that was a responsibility of the government.
On Wednesday, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh responded to the calls for PM Modi’s visit, stating that every relief measure was being taken and that there was no question of the PM’s visit. He asserted that the situation was being handled under the leadership of the Prime Minister, with security measures, relief work, development, and peace talks between the Kuki and Meitei communities taking place. However, he emphasized the need for mediation and dialogue to resolve the issues within the state.
