Sharad Pawar on Manipur

Sharad Pawar, chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government during a public event in Navi Mumbai for their inadequate response to the ongoing violence in Manipur. He lamented that the Prime Minister has not visited the state to console its people, despite the severe crisis that has disrupted communal harmony and led to bloodshed. Pawar emphasized that communities in Manipur, once peaceful, are now in conflict, with significant agricultural destruction and a breakdown in communication among different groups. He pointed to recent discussions in Parliament highlighting the escalating situation, which has seen individuals from Manipur travel to Delhi to voice their concerns. The violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, during protests by the All Tribals Students Union against the demand for the Meitei community's inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has previously held meetings to review the security situation, directing measures to prevent further violence.