In a heartfelt appeal, leaders from the INDIA bloc of Manipur have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the violence-hit state, emphasizing that his presence would play a crucial role in restoring peace and normalcy.
During a press conference, the leaders expressed their frustration at being denied permission to hold a sit-in protest to highlight the crisis gripping their state.
“We travelled over 3,000 kilometers from Manipur to demand peace and normalcy, yet our voices were stifled,” said Kshetrimayum Shanta, convener of the coalition of 10 political parties.
“Prime Minister Modi has not visited Manipur in the last two years, even as the state continues to reel from ethnic violence. We urge him to witness the suffering firsthand,” he said.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to the prime minister, detailing their demands and inviting him to visit Manipur.
They highlighted the devastation caused by the ongoing turmoil, including displacements, deaths, and the destruction of thousands of homes.
In their letter to the prime minister, the INDIA bloc leaders wrote, “The people of Manipur have been eagerly waiting for your presence in the state to convey their voices of helplessness. The turmoil has devastated the entire state, plunging it into chaos.”
The memorandum urged the prime minister to visit the state before the end of the year or, alternatively, invite political leaders from Manipur to New Delhi for discussions.
“As the prime minister, your proactive engagement is essential. Only your direct involvement can pave the way for peace and normalcy in Manipur,” the letter emphasized.
Criticizing the BJP-led government, Shanta attributed the crisis to “mal-administration,” stating that the “double-engine government” had failed to address the escalating tensions.
“This government has divided us. We want unity and the integrity of Manipur restored,” he said.
The opposition, including the Congress, has repeatedly slammed the prime minister for his absence and the central government’s handling of the situation in Manipur.
They have pointed to the lack of intervention as a significant failure in addressing the state’s prolonged ethnic strife.
As the year draws to a close, the leaders of Manipur continue to seek the central government’s attention, urging swift and decisive action to restore peace and unity to the embattled state.
