'Non-visit': Congress blasts PM Modi's brief Manipur tour since ethnic violence broke out

The Congress on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Manipur and said his quick three-hour visit is really an insult to the people agonised by ethnic violence for over 20 months.

 Slamming Modi's visit, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asked what does the prime minister aim to accomplish through his quick visit. "The proposed visit of the Prime Minister to Manipur on September 13 is being hailed by his cheerleaders. But it appears that he will be spending just about 3 hours--yes just 3 hours--in the state," Ramesh tweeted.

Asking what the prime minister aims to accomplish through his visit, Ramesh said, "This is actually an insult to the people of the state who have waited for him for 29 long and agonising months. Sept 13th will actually be a non-visit by the PM, who has once again revealed his callousness and insensitivity towards the people of Manipur."

The prime minister is likely to visit Manipur on September 13, which will be his first tour to the state since ethnic violence broke out between Meiteis and Kukis in May 2023.

The Congress-led Opposition has been demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi should visit Manipur ever since ethnic violence broke out in the state. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi had made multiple visits to the violence-stricken state.

 More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The Centre had imposed president's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.