NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar attacked the Central government for its handling of the violence in Manipur during a public event in Navi Mumbai.
He specifically expressed his resentment towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the strife-torn Manipur to console its residents. The violence in state erupted on May 3 the previous year, following a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Unions (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.
Sharad Pawar emphasized the government’s lack of action in addressing the crisis in Manipur.
“After such a big crisis that has befallen a state (Manipur), it is the responsibility of the people ruling it to fight the crisis head-on, assure its people and try to bring unity to society and protect law and order. But today’s rulers have not even looked in that direction. After all this has happened in Manipur, the country’s Prime Minister does not feel the need to go there and console the people,” Pawar said in his address on Sunday.
He pointed out the severe disruption of harmony between communities in Manipur, hinting at long-standing peaceful coexistence that has now been shattered.
“A few days ago, Manipur was mentioned in someone’s speech. It was discussed in the country’s Parliament. People of different religions, castes and languages of Manipur came to Delhi to meet us and told us that this small state that used to live together in harmony has now become disturbed. There is conflict between two communities, differences between people have been increased, agriculture has been destroyed, and even bloodshed has taken place with women. People who once lived in harmony with each other are not even ready to talk to each other today,” Pawar observed.
Violence broke out in the state following clashes during a rally organized by ATSU. The protest was in opposition to the demand for the Meitei community’s inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category. The unrest led to significant conflict and damage within the community.
In response to the escalating situation, Union home minister Amit Shah conducted a comprehensive review of the security situation in Manipur in June. During a high-level meeting in the national capital, Shah directed officials to ensure that “no further incident of violence takes place” in the northeastern state.
He specifically expressed his resentment towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the strife-torn Manipur to console its residents. The violence in state erupted on May 3 the previous year, following a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Unions (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.
Sharad Pawar emphasized the government’s lack of action in addressing the crisis in Manipur.
“After such a big crisis that has befallen a state (Manipur), it is the responsibility of the people ruling it to fight the crisis head-on, assure its people and try to bring unity to society and protect law and order. But today’s rulers have not even looked in that direction. After all this has happened in Manipur, the country’s Prime Minister does not feel the need to go there and console the people,” Pawar said in his address on Sunday.
He pointed out the severe disruption of harmony between communities in Manipur, hinting at long-standing peaceful coexistence that has now been shattered.
“A few days ago, Manipur was mentioned in someone’s speech. It was discussed in the country’s Parliament. People of different religions, castes and languages of Manipur came to Delhi to meet us and told us that this small state that used to live together in harmony has now become disturbed. There is conflict between two communities, differences between people have been increased, agriculture has been destroyed, and even bloodshed has taken place with women. People who once lived in harmony with each other are not even ready to talk to each other today,” Pawar observed.
Violence broke out in the state following clashes during a rally organized by ATSU. The protest was in opposition to the demand for the Meitei community’s inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category. The unrest led to significant conflict and damage within the community.
In response to the escalating situation, Union home minister Amit Shah conducted a comprehensive review of the security situation in Manipur in June. During a high-level meeting in the national capital, Shah directed officials to ensure that “no further incident of violence takes place” in the northeastern state.