Imphal: Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Manipur during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, urging Home Minister Amit Shah to address Parliament on the issue.
Gogoi criticized the BJP-led government for diverting attention from Manipur by raising unrelated matters, such as the George Soros controversy.
“The entire state is engulfed in a humanitarian crisis, and instead of working on a solution, the government is resorting to deploying paramilitary forces and extending the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). This approach is not breaking the cycle of violence,” Gogoi stated.
He emphasized the growing frustration among the people of Manipur, questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to visit the state and when the Home Minister will inform the House about steps being taken to address the crisis.
Gogoi also expressed concern over the widespread collapse of public services in the state. “Extortion is rampant, the economy has been shattered, and illegal trade in arms, drugs, and timber is on the rise. The lives of ordinary citizens are being devastated,” he said.
He pointed out that schools and colleges remain shut, jeopardizing the education of thousands of students, while healthcare facilities have been severely damaged. “Fear and uncertainty have gripped the population,” he added.
Gogoi’s remarks about the government’s focus on George Soros as a distraction sparked a heated response from the treasury benches. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal countered by alleging connections between Congress leadership and Soros-backed organizations purportedly working to destabilize India.
The debate highlighted the escalating tensions over Manipur, with the opposition calling for accountability and immediate action to resolve the ongoing crisis.
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