Burnt vehicles in Manipur’s capital, Imphal

Priyanka Gandhi’s X post

Jairam Ramesh’s X post

NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders of the principal opposition party on Sunday targeted the BJP-led central government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi , as fresh violence erupted in Manipur , this time over the arrest of a key leader of the Meitei community.Gandhi alleged that PM Modi has “abdicated” his responsibility towards the state.”Manipur is once again in the grip of violence. For nearly two years, the people of the state have been facing violence, murder, and rape, which has forced them to migrate. Hundreds have died, thousands of people are homeless. What is the reason that despite President’s rule, peace is not being restored there?” The Wayanad MP wrote on X, referring to the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities.Further, she took on the prime minister for not visiting Manipur since the ethnic conflict began in May 2023.”He has not met any representative of the state, nor appealed for peace, nor made any concrete effort. This insensitive and irresponsible attitude is extremely unfortunate for any democracy. It is the prime minister’s responsibility to ensure peace and security for the citizens of the country. To step back from this is to turn away from one’s duty,” Gandhi added.Jairam Ramesh, the grand old party’s communications in-charge who has repeatedly criticized the PM on the Manipur issue, wrote a long social media post to slam him again.”Pain, distress, and agony of the people of Manipur continues unabated as five districts have been rocked by violence in the last 24 hours. In the February 2022 assembly election, the BJP won a majority on its own. However, a mere 15 months after that mandate, Manipur was left to burn from the night of 3 May 2023. Hundreds of innocent men, women and children were murdered,” Ramesh said.”The Union home minister made a token visit to Manipur , the prime minister has neither said anything nor met anyone till now…despite the imposition of President’s rule, there was no difference on the ground. Even the governor had to travel from Imphal airport to his residence by helicopter . Law and order is still in shambles,” he further stated.Meanwhile, after a night of violence, the situation remained tense in Manipur on Sunday with the administration imposing prohibitory orders and suspending internet services in five Imphal valley districts. The prohibitory orders have been clamped in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts, while internet and mobile data services have also been suspended in these areas.