Congress Unleashes Scathing Attack on PM Modi's 'Delayed' Manipur Visit Amidst Unrest

The Indian National Congress has launched a fierce critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural visit to Manipur, nearly a year after the state plunged into devastating ethnic violence. Labeling the trip as 'election-driven' and 'too little, too late,' the opposition party has strongly questioned the Prime Minister's prolonged silence and perceived inaction on the simmering crisis.

Manipur has been grappling with intense ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities since May last year, resulting in over 200 deaths, thousands displaced, and widespread destruction of homes and livelihoods.

Throughout this period, critics have pointed to the Prime Minister's conspicuous absence and what they describe as a lack of direct engagement with the affected population or a concrete strategy to restore peace.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh articulated the party's dismay, highlighting that the Prime Minister's visit was not primarily to address the humanitarian catastrophe but rather to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"It is a matter of profound sorrow and outrage that the Prime Minister deemed it fit to visit Manipur only when there is an election to be won, not when its people were crying out for help and healing," Ramesh stated, echoing the sentiments of many frustrated citizens.

The opposition's accusations extend to suggesting that the Modi government has prioritized political optics over genuine intervention.

They argue that a visit of this nature, almost a year into the conflict, does little to assuage the deep-seated grievances and suffering of a population that has felt abandoned by the central leadership.

The Congress has repeatedly called for a comprehensive and sustained effort from the Prime Minister to engage with all stakeholders in Manipur, urging for a political solution that goes beyond temporary measures.

They maintain that true leadership would involve a concerted focus on reconciliation, rehabilitation, and rebuilding trust between the warring communities, rather than a fleeting appearance for electoral gains. This latest visit has only intensified the political debate surrounding the government's handling of the Manipur crisis, leaving many to wonder when genuine peace will finally return to the beleaguered state.