Congress manifesto pledges to heal the wounds between communities in Manipur

Imphal: The Congress poll manifesto unveiled by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital on Friday pledges to remove the present Manipur government led by the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh forthwith and heal the wounds between the communities.

It also promises to appoint a Reconciliation Commission to bring about a political and administrative settlement that will be satisfactory to all the people of the state.

“We will ensure appropriate compensation and redress for the victims and survivors of the conflict in Manipur,” the manifesto states.

The manifest highlights the prevailing ethnic crisis between the Meiteis and Kukis that cost over 222 lives and 61, 000 people were displaced. The violence started on May 3, 2023.

It also pledges that a final solution and agreement will be entered into with the Naga groups based on the preliminary agreement that had been agreed in 2013-14.

We will support Border Trade and make every effort to increase the volume and value of such trade, it states considering the Indo-Myanmar border trade at Manipur's Moreh Bordertown.

Congress will revive the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the North Eastern states and make them an effective instrument of local government.

We will ensure that more funds are channelled through the ADCs for developmental works. Interestingly, the ADC elections have been kept in abeyance in Manipur for the past four years.

Additionally, Congress promises, “We will ensure that tea garden workers receive fair wages and other benefits per the applicable laws and agreements.”

The manifesto was unveiled by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and P. Chidambaram.