Crisis in Manipur: Rahul Gandhi’s urgent plea to PM Modi captures national attention

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has issued a heartfelt appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to visit Manipur and witness the ongoing ethnic strife that has severely impacted the state. Sharing a video from his recent visit to various relief camps in Manipur, Gandhi underscored the critical situation in the state, which has been divided and distressed since ethnic violence erupted in early May 2023.

During his third visit to the state since the violence began, Rahul Gandhi toured relief camps and interacted with the victims of the conflict, documenting their stories and the harsh realities they face. His five-minute video, shared on social media platform X, captures the emotional encounters and discussions he had with those displaced by the conflict. Gandhi’s post accompanying the video stressed the urgency of the situation, noting, “Houses are burning, innocent lives are in danger and thousands of families are forced to live in relief camps.”

In the video, poignant tales from the relief camps paint a grim picture of the situation in Manipur. At the Jiribam camp, a woman shared her anguish over her grandmother’s unknown fate amidst the conflict zones. Another woman from the Thalai camp lamented the death of her brother due to what she described as medical negligence, highlighting the inadequate healthcare facilities in the region.

Rahul Gandhi used his platform to call on Prime Minister Modi to visit the state and listen to the people’s grievances firsthand. He emphasized the power of the government to swiftly end the conflict if it chooses to prioritize the issue. At a camp in Churachandpur, Gandhi reassured the victims that he would raise their concerns in the upcoming parliamentary session, although he noted that the resolution lies in the hands of the government.

The violence in Manipur escalated following a protest march by the Kuki community against a Manipur High Court order directing the inclusion of the Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes list. The initially peaceful protest quickly spiraled into a violent clash between the Kukis and Meiteis, leading to over 220 deaths.

The ongoing strife in Manipur is a significant concern for India’s stability and ethnic harmony. Rahul Gandhi’s persistent visits and his recent appeal to the Prime Minister underscore the urgent need for government intervention and a focused effort to restore peace and provide adequate relief to the affected populations.

Rahul Gandhi’s proactive stance and direct appeal to the Prime Minister highlight a critical juncture in India’s internal security and ethnic relations, calling for immediate and decisive government action to mitigate the crisis and support the vulnerable populations in Manipur.