PM’s Manipur visit a “half-hearted effort” lacking empathy, compassion: Congress leader KC Venugopal
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Congress Slams PM Modi’s Manipur Visit as ‘Half-Hearted’ and Lacking Empathy
Congress leader KC Venugopal has fired sharp criticism at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent visit to violence-hit Manipur. On Saturday, Venugopal called the trip a stark example of how detached a leader can seem from people’s suffering. He accused the central government of dodging real efforts to restore peace in the troubled state.
Manipur has been gripped by ethnic clashes since May 2023, leading to a deadly civil war-like situation. Yet, Modi chose to visit only now—after over two years. Venugopal pointed out that the PM spent just a few hours in Manipur before heading to Mizoram, labeling it a rushed, superficial stop. "The government hasn’t offered any real solution to the deep social divide fueling this crisis," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "They lack the guts to unite the warring communities and push for true peace."
Venugopal went further, slamming the visit as a mere PR stunt. He said it’s an "insensitive and self-centered show" that mocks the pain of Manipur’s people. "As this late, face-saving drama unfolds, we wonder if those who spread hate daily can ever champion peace," he added.
Echoing the sentiment, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad also hit out at the PM. Speaking to reporters in Kerala, she said, "I’m glad he finally decided it’s worth visiting after two years. But he should have gone much earlier. It’s tragic that he let so much violence, deaths, and hardship drag on for so long before stepping in."
PM Modi’s Development Push in Manipur and Mizoram
Despite the backlash, PM Modi focused on boosting infrastructure during his trip. In Manipur’s Churachandpur district, he laid the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 7,300 crore. These aim to drive inclusive growth and fix long-standing issues in the northeastern state.
Key highlights include:
- The Manipur Urban Roads and Drainage Improvement Project, valued at more than Rs 3,600 crore, to upgrade city infrastructure and manage assets better.
- Five National Highway projects costing over Rs 2,500 crore, set to improve connectivity.
- The Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project to boost tech and jobs.
- Working Women’s Hostels at nine spots across Manipur, supporting female workforce participation.
Modi then moved to Mizoram, where he dedicated the state’s first rail line—from Bairabi to Sairang—to the nation. This 110-km broad-gauge track promises big changes, connecting locals to better services and opening markets for businesses across India.
The visits come amid ongoing calls for the government to address Manipur violence root causes, like ethnic tensions between communities. As Northeast India development projects gain momentum, political debates over peace efforts continue to heat up.
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