Congress MP slams Centre’s 'inaction' on Manipur crisis; compares situation to Afghanistan

NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing crisis in Manipur, Congress MP A Bimol Akoijam has raised sharp questions over the Centre's handling of the situation, suggesting the government’s inaction would not have persisted if the unrest had occurred in states like Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.
In a recent interview with PTI, Akoijam criticised the Centre’s approach, questioning why the government allowed the northeastern state to descend into chaos, drawing comparisons to Afghanistan, which he described as a "banana republic."
"With 60,000 troops stationed in Manipur, the central government should have prevented this crisis from persisting for so long," Akoijam stated, expressing his frustration with the prolonged unrest.
The ethnic violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2022, following a tribal solidarity march protesting the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, the conflict has claimed over 220 lives, with members of both the Kuki and Meitei communities, as well as security personnel, among the victims.
Akoijam accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to address the internal divisions within its own ranks, claiming that BJP MLAs in Manipur have been voicing conflicting positions on the demand for separate administration.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have called his MLAs and ministers to resolve this issue," said Akoijam. He urged Modi to ensure that Manipur is not treated like a "banana republic" and called for decisive leadership.
Representatives from Kuki groups recently demanded the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature, similar to Puducherry, as a solution to the ongoing strife. However, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has firmly rejected the proposal.
Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha, criticised Singh's role, calling him a "small-time player" in the crisis, but said he could not be absolved of responsibility. He further alleged that the Indian government was deliberately destabilising the region, suggesting external forces were involved in the violence.
Drawing parallels to Afghanistan, Akoijam warned that the situation in Manipur could escalate to a point where warlords operate without any central authority. He urged the government to assert itself "decisively and judiciously."
When asked if Manipur was heading towards a similar fate as Afghanistan, Akoijam said, "The government of India has been allowing it. The question is not whether Manipur is going the Afghanistan way, but why the government is letting it become a banana republic."
Akoijam dismissed claims of peace in the state, countering home minister Amit Shah’s statement that the situation outside of three days of recent violence had been calm. He described the government’s communication as inconsistent and confusing, further complicating efforts to understand the nature of the conflict.
He also criticised the loss of trust in state institutions, including security forces, and expressed concern over the armed violence by both civilians and organised groups.
With the situation in Manipur remaining tense, Akoijam's calls for a robust response from the central government echo growing demands for decisive action to restore peace and stability in the troubled region.