Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is planning to hold protest gatherings across the state on June 27 and July 5 to demand the restoration of peace in Manipur. The northeastern state has been embroiled in intense ethnic violence for the past 50 days, with over 120 people losing their lives and over 3,000 being injured.
LDF Convenor E P Jayarajan claimed that the BJP-led union government’s ‘divisive policies’ had triggered the riots. He also accused the BJP’s chief minister in Manipur of failing to effectively utilise the police force to contain the violence.
Jayarajan further claimed that over 60,000 people have become refugees and more than 5,000 houses and 300 churches have been destroyed in the ethnic riots.
The violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Union Home minister Amit Shah visited the state last month and met a cross-section of people to try to restore peace, but the violence continues.
The LDF protest is being held to demonstrate against the union government’s stance on the ongoing violence in the northeastern state. Jayarajan urged all those who believe in democracy to take part in the protests to make them a success.
Demonstrations would be held at district headquarter towns on June 27 and in Assembly constituencies on July 5, he added.
