VIDEO | Why did Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge attack BJP over 'militarised zone' Manipur?

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked the Centre in the Rajya Sabha over its inaction to the violence in Manipur, calling it a "militarised zone".

"Ethnic violence between two communities led to a death toll of more than 200, with over 70,000 people displaced," Kharge said, lamenting how the Narendra Modi-led government had played a role in fuelling the crisis in the northeastern state.

This comes as President's Rule in the state was lifted on Wednesday, ahead of BJP leader and CM-designate Yumnam Khemchand Singh and his state cabinet's oath ceremony this evening.

The northeastern border state has been under President's Rule for a year since N. Biren Singh resigned as Manipur's CM in February 2025.

This had put the 60-member state assembly, which had tenure till 2027, in a state of suspended animation—inactive, but not dissolved.

“I want to say history is witness that Vasco Da Gama took 11 months to reach India from Portugal. Columbus took 2 months to reach North America from Spain. But despite such a huge tragedy, our PM took two years to reach Manipur,” Kharge added in his sharp attacks questioning whether the BJP cared for the northeastern state.

Manipur violence

Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities began in May 2023, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the former's demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status.

Over time, more than 250 people died and thousands of others were displaced, which forced Biren Singh to resign, and  paved the way for President's Rule in the state.

CM-designate Khemchand Singh, however, is said to have the support of both the Meitei and Kuki communities. Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho, who are from the Kuki and Naga tribes respectively, will be the two Deputy CMs.