The Congress on Thursday alleged that the Manipur violence seemed “pre-planned”, claiming that a BJP youth leader attended the 3 May rally in Churachandpur with his gang.

Congress spokesperson and the party’s in-charge for Manipur, Bhakta Charan Das questioned why Barish Sharma, a former youth president of the BJP, participated at the rally called by All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur. Das added that Sharma and his gang argued with the tribals at the rally and under his leadership, the Centenary Gate of the Anglo-Kuki War was ‘damaged’. The act ‘irritated’ the Kuki people and violence erupted.

Das further stated that the violence against the tribals in Manipur had not been carried out by regular Meitei people but by members of two outfits on the lines of the Bajrang Dal. Asked about who was supporting the formation of armed outfits in Manipur, he alleged that “a person in a powerful position” in the government and another in Parliament are behind them.

He claimed that these people entered the police stations and weapons were handed to them after taking their Aadhar cards. “They have returned a number of guns,” Das said.

Manipur’s security advisor had maintained on Wednesday so far, 284 arms and 6,700 ammunition have been recovered while chief minister Biren Singh had on Tuesday informed that 1041 guns were looted from security force personnel.

The Congress spokesperson alleged that these outfits are indulging in violence while attacking people and religious places. Seeing the gang members with guns carrying out destruction, while the police were simply looking and doing nothing, gave the other youths the confidence to join in the act, he claimed.

Das asserted that the clash could have been averted and that never in the history of Manipur has such conflict happened between communities.

More than 40,000 people are affected with more than 70 people officially declared dead and around 20,000 people displaced from their homes and living in camps, Das said.

The Congress spokesperson said at least 1,700 homes have been damaged and more than 200 churches and temples burnt. This has given a new communal twist to tension between communities, he said, adding that there is violence, arson, and mayhem in various districts of Manipur including Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, and Kangpokpi.

He also demanded compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the violence and Rs 5 lakh for people whose houses were destroyed.

Addressing a press conference here, he questioned why Union Home Minister Amit Shah has not visited the violence-hit northeastern state yet and why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained silent on the issue.

“The BJP government has utterly failed to control the situation (in Manipur). It has been unable to stop the violence, unable to stop weapons from being looted or recover them, unable to rescue innocent people and unable to provide facilities to those in relief camps,” Das said.

“In this situation, we demand that President’s Rule be immediately imposed to stop these incidents (of violence) that are happening even now,” he said and alleged that the Centre and the state government are not working according to the Constitution.

If there is President’s Rule, then there will be more accountability, the Congress spokesperson said.

Das said had law and order been there, this would have not happened. “It seems it (violence) was pre-planned” because no one from the central government is monitoring this issue, he alleged.

“The home minister has still not visited Manipur and the prime minister has not even tweeted and appealed for peace,” Das said.

“Why has the Union home minister not visited the state of Manipur yet? Why has the prime minister not even issued an appeal for peace? What measures has the Union government taken to restore peace and save the lives and properties of people,” he asked.

The Congress leader demanded immediate relief measures such as treatment of those injured and creating a safe space for people to go back to their homes.

Das claimed that though 209 relief camps have been set up, thousands of people in these camps are struggling as the government has not been able to provide adequate facilities.

While the government claims the situation is heading back to normalcy, the truth is the return of people from camps to their houses is still slow, he claimed.

The Congress condemns the “unwarranted violence and undemocratic actions of the BJP government” and appeals for restoration of peace and harmony in Manipur, Das said.

He also accused the state and central governments of inaction and failure to provide governance. The last assembly election in Manipur was held in an atmosphere of fear and votes were polled amid the fear of the gun and intimidation by insurgents, Das said.

“The BJP government both in the state and at the Centre betrayed the people of all communities of Manipur. No democratic process was initiated either by the Union or the state government to fulfil these demands,” he said.

“Instead conflict was triggered through undemocratic actions by the state government, including sudden evacuation of villagers from 38 villages in forest areas, the spread of violence by BJP functionaries at protest sites, and provocation from the chief minister with his arrogant utterances,” Das alleged.

(With inputs from PTI)

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play