BJP Govt Failed Manipur, Political Blame Game Deepening Kuki-Naga Tensions: Congress

The Sadar Hills District Congress Committee (SH-DCC) on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Manipur government, accusing it of “abject failure” in containing the prolonged ethnic conflict and alleging that political bickering among senior leaders was further aggravating tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities in the state’s volatile hill districts.

Expressing serious concern over the deteriorating situation in the border areas of Kangpokpi, Senapati and Noney districts, the SH-DCC said the communities had traditionally maintained cordial relations and shared their day-to-day hardships despite the wider conflict in Manipur.

The situation, however, has deteriorated amid what the Congress body described as the “continuous and total failure” of the BJP-led government to contain the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023.

“The total breakdown of trust and harmony among communities” had resulted in fear, insecurity, burning of houses and villages and killings of villagers in the “neglected and unguarded” border areas, the SH-DCC alleged.

The district Congress committee accused the two Deputy Chief Ministers from the region of indulging in blame games instead of jointly addressing the crisis.

“Rather than coming together in finding a solution to the crisis, both are engaged in calling names and finger pointing just to avoid and run away from their responsibilities and accountability,” it alleged.

The Congress body said the political differences between the two leaders had exposed serious shortcomings in governance and crisis management.

“At a time when the people expected both the leaders to sit together and find a solution through concrete dialogue and reconciliation, they are engaged more on scoring political mileage from the prevailing situation,” it said.

The SH-DCC maintained that peace could not be restored through “mere rhetoric or administrative formalities” and called for political will, transparent governance and an impartial approach towards both communities.

It demanded immediate and effective measures to contain violence and restore peace and normalcy in all affected areas, along with equal protection for all communities.

The Congress body also demanded firm and impartial action against individuals or groups promoting violence, hatred and communal disharmony.

A key demand was the immediate initiation of an inclusive peace dialogue involving political representatives and community leaders from both the Kuki and Naga communities.

The SH-DCC said it had already conveyed the proposal to the Kangpokpi district administration and argued that such talks could serve as a confidence-building measure to restore trust, mutual respect and social cohesion.

The Congress committee also appealed to church leaders, civil society organisations, women’s groups, youth leaders and student bodies from both communities to play a constructive role in promoting reconciliation and preventing the spread of misinformation and divisive narratives.

Urging people, particularly in Kangpokpi and Senapati, to reject violence and hatred, the SH-DCC said the future generation deserved an opportunity to live together peacefully and compete with the outside world.

The committee expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the recent violence and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and communal harmony.

“Give Peace a Chance,” the statement said.