Congress says PM Modi should first thing to do is sack CM Biren

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should first sack Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh if he is really concerned about the situation in the violence-hit state.

Kharge said no amount of “propaganda” by the BJP-led government could hide its “failure” to deal with the situation in Manipur.
He said that reports suggest that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has finally discussed the situation in Manipur with Modi and added, “For the last 55 days, Modi ji has not spoken a single word on Manipur.” Every Indian is waiting for him to speak.

Kharge said in a tweet, “If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, he should first sack his chief minister.”
More than 100 people have lost their lives so far in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.

Congress chief Kharge also demanded the government to confiscate all weapons stolen in the northeastern state.
Suggesting several steps to restore peace in Manipur, Kharge said the government should start dialogue with all parties and find a common political path.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh met the members of the Manipur Tribes Forum, who discussed the situation in their home state with the veteran leader and handed over a memorandum to him.
“This evening I met the Manipur Tribals Forum, Delhi who expressed their pain and grief over the situation in Manipur for the last 55 days. I expressed my solidarity with them and wished them peace and normalcy in Manipur. assured all possible support from the Congress party to ensure his return,” said Ramesh.
The Congress leader shared on Twitter that members of the Manipur Tribals Forum presented him with a memorandum.

“Apart from the points made therein, he stressed that the current CM Biren Singh should be removed immediately so that there can be any progress towards dialogue and reconciliation.
“He also provided a detailed account of what has happened in Manipur since the Union Home Minister called for 15 days of peace,” Ramesh said.

Singh briefed Shah here on Sunday about the “escalating situation” in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence “to a large extent”.

Modi chaired a meeting with senior cabinet colleagues and officials on the situation in Manipur on Monday after returning from his official visits to the US and Egypt.