The Congress on Friday slammed the Centre over the deteriorating law and order in violence-hit Manipur after a mob set Union Minister R.K. Ranjan Singh's house on fire in Imphal and demanded that the Prime Minister must call for an all-party meeting over the situation in the northeastern state.
Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal, in a tweet, said: "Manipur is burning for the last 40 days and the conflict is spiralling out of control. There is no semblance of rule of law and those in power are themselves spearheading massacres and helping militants with arms and ammunition".
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on Manipur issue, he said: "The Prime Minister has maintained a stone-cold silence, and his government has taken no concrete action so far. Why is the Union government allowing this to continue? Who is accountable for this disastrous situation? The Prime Minister must immediately call for an all-party meeting because the country is demanding answers. Will he finally speak up after a Union Minister's residence has been attacked?"
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram slammed the government over the violence in Manipur.
"The double-engine government failed in Karnataka and it was shown the door by the people of Karnataka. The double-engine government is failing the people of Manipur. One engine (the state) has run out of fuel. The other engine (the centre) has decoupled itself and is hiding in the loco shed. It is obvious that Mr Biren Singh has lost the confidence of all sections of the people of Manipur. It is also obvious that Mr Narendra Modi is not willing to talk to the people of Manipur nor even make an appeal for peace. Since May 3 -- that is in the last 45 days -- the Prime Minister has not uttered a word on Manipur; nor visited the state that is burning. This is the Government that boasts of 'Sabka Saath......'" Chidambaram said in a tweet.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted: "The Prime Minister should listen to himself regarding Manipur", attaching a video of Modi where he is heard saying that "there was a time when the governments left Manipur on its condition".
The remarks from the Congress leaders came after the house of Union Minister Ranjan Singh was torched in Manipur on late Thursday night. His home was earlier also targeted on May 25 when thousands of people attempted to assemble in front of the residence, but were prevented by security forces. Police said the mob, which was demanding an early solution to the ethnic conflict, accused all the ministers and MLAs that they were not doing enough to end the crisis.
On Wednesday, in a fresh incident of violence, assailants burnt the official residence of Manipur's Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen in the Lamphel area in Imphal West district. Kipgen, the lone woman minister in the state, was not at home then.
At least 11 people were killed and 23 others injured after suspected militants attacked the Khamelock village in Imphal East district late on Tuesday night.
Officials said the death toll is likely to increase as several of the injured are said to be critical.
They damage the nation abroad: EAM Jaishankar slams Rahul’s ‘falsehood’ on ‘Trump invite’ claims
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday hit back at the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his claims that the former went to the United States of America to get an invitation for Donald Trump’s inauguration, stating that such falsified statements only go on to harm the ‘interests and reputation’ of the country abroad.
Positive impact of regular contacts evident in India-Russia strategic partnership: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday asserted that the "positive impact" of regular contacts is evident in the broader 'India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' which continues to benefit significantly from the ongoing interaction at various levels.
Over to voters: High-decibel campaign for Delhi election ends
Campaigning for the most hotly contested Assembly election in Delhi ever ended at 5 p.m. on Monday, drawing curtains on months-long, high-decibel electioneering replete with AI-generated memes, acerbic jibes and venomous barbs and a race to woo voters with freebies, including monthly doles to women and the youth.
Rahul Gandhi’s rare praise for ‘Make In India’ project in LS, followed by jibe
Congress MP and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Monday made a rare praise for the ‘Make In India’ program, even commending the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing in the ‘good idea’ but then went to disapprove it by calling it ‘damp squib’.
Govt likely to introduce new income tax bill on Feb 6
After the revision in tax slabs in the Union Budget 2025-26 to leave 'enough money in the hands' of taxpayers, the government is likely to unveil the much-anticipated draft of the new Income Tax Bill on February 6.
10 TN fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy; mechanised boat seized
Ten fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Monday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Maha Kumbh: Spiritual leaders, devotees celebrate Basant Panchami with Amrit Snan
On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj for the much-awaited Amrit Snan (holy bath), marking a significant spiritual milestone.
Delhi Assembly polls: Campaigning to end today; parties make final push
The high-voltage campaigning for the Delhi Assembly elections will come to an end at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, with all three major political parties, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, making their final efforts to woo voters.