President’s Rule Useless in Manipur: Jairam Ramesh
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, stating that the move has failed to make any meaningful impact on the ground. Speaking in New Delhi, Ramesh said the situation in Manipur remains dire, with ethnic violence continuing unabated and tens of thousands still displaced.
President’s Rule Has Changed Nothing
“The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur has made no difference whatsoever,” Ramesh stated bluntly. He emphasized that the humanitarian crisis, which began in May 2023, shows no signs of improvement despite the Centre’s takeover of the state’s administration. According to Ramesh, the central government was slow to act and ineffective even after taking direct control.
Ramesh further pointed out that the Prime Minister has not set foot in the violence-torn state throughout the crisis, calling it a “shameful abdication of leadership.”
Violence, Displacement Continue Unchecked
Since May 2023, violent ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have resulted in more than 250 deaths and displaced over 60,000 people. Hundreds of villages have been ravaged, religious sites vandalized, and normal life disrupted across large parts of the state.
Despite repeated appeals from civil society groups, humanitarian agencies, and opposition leaders, the situation remains volatile. Relief and rehabilitation efforts are reported to be patchy, and there is growing anger among those affected that the Centre’s intervention has yielded no tangible results.
Congress Demands Accountability and Reconciliation
Ramesh has urged the Modi government to take concrete steps toward reconciliation and peace-building. He called for transparent investigations into the violence, accountability from both political and law enforcement officials, and restoration of democratic functioning in Manipur.
He also called on the ruling BJP to “abandon its apathy” and focus on restoring the social fabric of the northeastern state. Ramesh reiterated that while political blame games won’t solve anything, ignoring the ground realities will only worsen the crisis.
