BJP’s politics of hate: Kharge over Manipur violence

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday held the Manipur’s Bharatiya Janata Party government responsible for the violence in the state alleging that such a situation arose because of the party’s “politics of hate, and division”. The Congress president appealed to the people of the northeastern state for peace and urged them to show restraint. Taking to Twitter, Kharge said, “Manipur is burning. BJP has created fissures among communities and destroyed the peace of a beautiful state. BJP’s politics of hate, division and greed for power is responsible for this mess. We appeal to people from all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a chance.” This comes after violence broke out on May 3, during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest the demand of non-tribal Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Manipur. To tackle the worsening law and order situation after tribal groups took out rallies in several districts of Manipur, the State government has suspended mobile internet in the State for five days.