Cong to PM Fulfill your duty in Manipur rather campaign in K’taka

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his duty towards violence-hit Manipur instead of busy campaigning in Karnataka and his “complete failure” to maintain peace in the northeastern state. He demanded the dismissal of Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Congress also called for president’s rule in Manipur, which has been plagued by violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community.
“Modiji, you are the elected Prime Minister of the country and the people of Karnataka are also watching what is happening in Manipur and want you to save Manipur from burning and restore peace in the state first.

“Soliciting votes in Karnataka is against your ‘kartavya’ (duty) and we want to remind you that your duty is to save Manipur,” Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said.
She alleged that the home minister had completely failed, and cited earlier clashes between the police forces of Assam and Mizoram and the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

What moral right do you have to remain in your position? In fact, President’s rule should be imposed immediately by invoking Article 356 (of the Constitution) and efforts should be made to restore peace in the state,” the Congress leader said.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Randeep Surjewala shared an official order on social media and pointed out that the state government has written that it is “happy to allow shoot-on-sight orders. “.
“Like the British government, only the Modi government can use such strong language as the law and order and constitutional machinery in Manipur is completely broken,” she said in a video message.

“This is a fit case where India’s Home Minister Amit Shah should resign or be sacked immediately. It is a fit case where the BJP government in Manipur should be dismissed and Section 356 , which is President’s rule, should be implemented.”
Srinte said that Manipur has been burning for the last four days and there are reports of looting, killings and arson. Conditions there are so bad that internet services have been suspended, half of the state is under curfew and Indian Railways has suspended services. There, she said.
“Ministers, MLAs and MPs of Manipur are urging the Prime Minister to save Manipur which is burning. But it is unfortunate that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister are so busy campaigning in Karnataka that they are not concerned about the situation in Manipur.

“They are so concerned about votes that even if Manipur burns to ashes, they don’t care,” she alleged.
Clashes erupted in Manipur on Wednesday and intensified overnight, with earlier attacks being retaliated by rival communities when Naga and Kuki tribesmen protested the move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community. Organized ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ to protest.

The state government on Thursday ordered shoot-on-sight in “extreme cases” to contain the escalating violence that has displaced more than 9,000 people from their villages.