Rahul Gandhi calls on PM Modi to ‘restore peace and normalcy' in violence-hit Manipur

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday expressed concerns over the “deteriorating law and order” situation in Manipur following clashes and arson against the inclusion of the majority Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. The Congress leader also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore peace and normalcy in the state.“Deeply concerned about Manipur’s rapidly deteriorating law and order situation. The Prime Minister must focus on restoring peace and normalcy. I urge the people of Manipur to stay calm,” Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

Deeply concerned about Manipur’s rapidly deteriorating law and order situation.

The Prime Minister must focus on restoring peace and normalcy. I urge the people of Manipur to stay calm.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 4, 2023

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the BJP over the tense situation in the state. “Manipur is burning. BJP has created fissures among communities and destroyed the peace of a beautiful state,” he wrote in a tweet.

“BJP's politics of hate, division, and its greed for power is responsible for this mess. We appeal to people from all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a chance,” Kharge added.

Violence broke out on Wednesday in Manipur during a 'tribal solidarity march' called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district - against the inclusion of the Meitei community which accounts for 53 percent of the state's population - in the ST category. According to other communities, this move will deny them access to government jobs and admission to educational institutions.

Clashes were reported during the rally in which thousands of agitators took part. In order to control the situation, the police resorted to firing several rounds of tear gas shells. As the violence flared, chief minister Biren Singh's government imposed a ban on mobile internet for five days in the state on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army and Assam Riffle personnel have evacuated over 7,500 civilians from the state so far.