New Delhi(different IN.News): On the second day of their Manipur visit, opposition leaders wrote a letter to the state’s governor, Anusuiya Uikey, requesting her to take effective measures to restore peace and harmony in the state.

The delegation comprising 21 parties from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) are on a two-day visit to assess the ground situation in violence-hit Manipur. They told the governor that the delegation visited relief camps in Churachandpur, Moirang and Imphal, and “were very  shocked and sad to hear the stories of anxieties, uncertainties, and pains and sorrows of individuals affected by the unprecedented violence unleashed by both sides (Meitis and Kuki-Zomi communities) since the beginning of the clashes”.

The delegation accused the BJP-led Union and state governments of failing to protect the lives of people and properties in Manipur, and claimed that over the last three months, more than 140 people were killed and 500 were injured, while around 5,000 houses have been burnt down and more than 60,000 people have been displaced.

“The condition in the relief camps is pathetic to say the least. Special care needs to be taken for the kids on a priority basis…The continued internet ban for the last three months is aiding the unsubstantiated rumours, which is aiding to the existing mistrust (between the communities),” the delegation said in the letter. The opposition leaders also said “justice should be the cornerstone” in taking effective measures , and that rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced people should be a priority to restore peace and harmony. “You are requested to apprise the union government of the complete breakdown of law and order in Manipur for the last 89 days so as to enable them to intervene in the precarious situation in Manipur to restore peace and normalcy,” the letter said.

The two-day visit of the INDIA parties has garnered much attention amidst a logjam over the Manipur violence in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament. The opposition parties have urged the prime minister to give a statement and the government to discuss the matter by suspending the “business as usual” approach in the Houses. With no response from Narendra Modi, the INDIA parties have also moved a no-confidence motion that will force the prime minister to speak in parliament. However, even as the no-trust motion has been admitted, the Union government has continued to pass bills on important matters that require a detailed discussion.

The Manipur visit also marks the first joint political outreach from INDIA. All the 21 members of the delegation targeted the prime minister and the Union government for allegedly letting the situation in Manipur remain tense.

Speaking with media Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress said, “It was a painful two days listening to the stories of how women were assaulted and villages were burnt. There is real anger against the central and state government for not protecting the people when there were enough warning signs in the beginning.”