Congress MP Bimol Akoijam has called for the ongoing crisis in Manipur to be recognized as a “national issue” rather than being dismissed as a “local” concern, demanding increased attention from the central government. In a tweet today, Akoijam praised Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for raising the issue during Zero Hour on December 11.

“Glad to hear such voices to make the deaf Government of India hear the plight of the people of Manipur!” Akoijam wrote, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Speaking in Parliament, Gogoi painted a grim picture of Manipur’s current state, describing it as a “grave humanitarian crisis.” He criticized the government for allegedly diverting attention from its failures by focusing on unrelated issues. “This government, in order to hide its failure in Manipur, is using George Soros as a shield,” Gogoi remarked.

He outlined the dire conditions in the state, citing rampant extortion, economic collapse, and the illegal trade of arms, drugs, and timber. He also expressed concern over the collapse of public services. “Schools and colleges remain shut, leaving thousands of students at risk of losing their academic year. Healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Fear and uncertainty have gripped the population,” Gogoi said.

The Congress leader also questioned the absence of key leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, in addressing the crisis. “The people of Manipur want to know when the Prime Minister will visit the state and when the Home Minister will outline concrete steps to resolve the situation,” he stated.