BJP’s politics of hate responsible for Manipur violence: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge
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Imphal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh after violence erupted in the wake of mass rally taken out by tribal groups several places in the state.
The state government suspended internet services for five days beginning from Tuesday, and imposed curfew in most districts after the rally by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) turned violent.
The protest was against the demand for including Meitei community of the state into the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category after Manipur High Court’s directive on April 19, according to The Indian Express.
The development hit on the ethnic faultline between the states’s Meitei community and the hill tribes.
Chief Minister Biren Singh, appealing for clam, said blamed the violence on the ‘misunderstanding between two communities’.
“We are committed to protect the lives and property of all our people. Long term grievances of different communities will also be suitably addressed in due course in consultation with the people and their representatives,” Singh reportedy said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Congress on Thursday alleged that the BJP’s politics of hate led to the violence between two communities in Manipur.
‘Manipur is burning. BJP has created fissures among communities and destroyed the peace of a beautiful state,’ Mallikarjun Kharge reportedly tweeted.
The Indian Army and the Assam Rifles on Wednesday carried out a flag march in the violence-hit areas.
The Indian Army stated that after clashes had broken out military and paramilitary troops were deployed in the area bordering Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.
Efforts are afoot to evacuate affected people and restore law and order in the area, according to the statement.
Boxer MC Mary Kom on Thursday emotionally appealed to the Centre to help control the violence, saying ‘My state Manipur is burning, kindly help.’
Mary Kom shared photos of the violence, and tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to the report.