NEW DELHI: Congress on the second anniversary of the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of deliberately ignoring the unrest in the state.
“Exactly two years ago today Manipur erupted,” said senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a strongly worded statement. “This calamity overtook it after the people of the state had given a decisive mandate to the BJP and its allies in the assembly elections in February 2022.”
He described the May 3, 2023 outbreak of violence as a “self-dictated, self-directed derailment of the so-called double engine sarkar” and slammed the BJP-led government for its slow and inadequate response.
Ramesh said that it took twenty months and a Supreme Court observation of an “absolute breakdown of Constitutional machinery” before the Modi government imposed President’s Rule on February 13. He also pointed out that the chief minister was forced to resign only after a no-confidence motion was set to be moved by the Congress in the state assembly.
“The anguish and suffering of Manipur continues. Political games are being played. No worthwhile reconciliation process is under way,” Ramesh said, adding that over 60,000 internally displaced people are still living in relief camps under immense distress.
He criticised the Prime Minister for his absence from the state. “Most importantly, the PM continues to avoid and shun Manipur. He has met with nobody from the state. He has gone all over the world but has not found the time nor the inclination nor the sensitivity to visit the troubled state and reach out to the people there,” he said.
Ramesh also said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, “has proved to be a big failure.”
Across Manipur, the second anniversary was marked with a statewide shutdown, called by various Meitei and Kuki organisations. Markets, schools, and public offices remained closed, and security was tightened across sensitive areas. In the Imphal Valley, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) led a candlelight march and held a “Manipur People's Convention,” while Kuki groups observed a “Day of Separation” in the hill districts.
Over 260 people have died and more than 70,000 have been displaced since violence erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023. Despite the President’s Rule and the deployment of security forces, the state remains deeply divided and tense.
“Exactly two years ago today Manipur erupted,” said senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a strongly worded statement. “This calamity overtook it after the people of the state had given a decisive mandate to the BJP and its allies in the assembly elections in February 2022.”
Exactly two years ago today Manipur erupted. This calamity overtook it after the people of the state had given a decisive mandate to the BJP and its allies in the assembly elections in February 2022.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 3, 2025
What began on May 3, 2023, therefore, was the self-dictated, self-directed…
He described the May 3, 2023 outbreak of violence as a “self-dictated, self-directed derailment of the so-called double engine sarkar” and slammed the BJP-led government for its slow and inadequate response.
Ramesh said that it took twenty months and a Supreme Court observation of an “absolute breakdown of Constitutional machinery” before the Modi government imposed President’s Rule on February 13. He also pointed out that the chief minister was forced to resign only after a no-confidence motion was set to be moved by the Congress in the state assembly.
“The anguish and suffering of Manipur continues. Political games are being played. No worthwhile reconciliation process is under way,” Ramesh said, adding that over 60,000 internally displaced people are still living in relief camps under immense distress.
He criticised the Prime Minister for his absence from the state. “Most importantly, the PM continues to avoid and shun Manipur. He has met with nobody from the state. He has gone all over the world but has not found the time nor the inclination nor the sensitivity to visit the troubled state and reach out to the people there,” he said.
Ramesh also said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, “has proved to be a big failure.”
Across Manipur, the second anniversary was marked with a statewide shutdown, called by various Meitei and Kuki organisations. Markets, schools, and public offices remained closed, and security was tightened across sensitive areas. In the Imphal Valley, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) led a candlelight march and held a “Manipur People's Convention,” while Kuki groups observed a “Day of Separation” in the hill districts.
Over 260 people have died and more than 70,000 have been displaced since violence erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023. Despite the President’s Rule and the deployment of security forces, the state remains deeply divided and tense.
You may also like
Incredible paintings from King Charles's Coronation released for the first time
'I paid £250 for my lunch at David Beckham's swanky 50th venue – and left hungry'
More man-portable air defence missile systems coming soon
"Reflects closer convergence of interests...": Assam CM Sarma after meeting with Japanese parliamentary delegation
Airtel, Tata Grp call off talks for merger of DTH business
