Manipur's year-long turmoil: The state is virtually divided into two, says Chidambaram

On the first anniversary of the ethnic riots that erupted in Manipur on 3 May 2023, Congress leader and former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram took to social media platform X to express his dismay over the situation in the state.

In his post, he highlighted the lack of attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the situation in Manipur, pointing to the fact that despite a full year having passed since the riots, the PM had neither visited Manipur nor taken steps to address the ongoing crisis. He also pointed out that as of February 2024, the death toll stood at 219, with thousands injured and over 60,000 displaced and living in camps.

Detailing the devastation caused by the riots, Chidambaram mentioned the demolition of homes and vandalism of places of worship, including temples and churches. He highlighted the division within the state, with separate administrations for different communities, namely the Meitei and the Kuki-Zomi.

The former minister criticised the BJP-led government in Manipur under chief minister N. Biren Singh, stating that its authority seemed limited to the Imphal valley, primarily inhabited by the Meitei.

Further, he questioned the efficacy of the BJP's 'Act East' policy, accusing the government of neglecting Manipur and failing to restore peace.

Chidambaram expressed disappointment over "crippled" Constitutional provisions, specifically mentioning Articles 355 and 356 of the Constitution, condemning the government's incompetence and calling for urgent action to alleviate the suffering of the people of Manipur.