The Congress on Wednesday said the collapse of the law-and-order machinery in Manipur was unprecedented in the history of independent India and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being disinterested as he had been obsessed with electioneering in Karnataka.

Painting a grim picture of the ground situation in the northeastern state, Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar, who was part of the delegation sent there by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, said: “Twenty police stations were burnt down; over 1,000 semi-automatic and automatic rifles were looted along with 6,000 rounds of bullets. Have you ever heard this? The government officers ran away, leaving the state to the mercy of miscreants and rioters.”

The Congress leader said: “Over 54,000 people were displaced; 70 bodies are still lying in Imphal hospital, apart from 18 bodies in Churachandpur. Two-hundred churches were damaged or burnt down. Five temples were destroyed. Tribal people abandoned the plains and ran away while the Meiteisleft the hills. The command in both sections of society has gone to extremist elements. This is the reality of the 56-inch chest and AmitShah’s administrative capabilities.”

Kumar alleged that the divisions in the society were deliberately created by the BJPas the two sides never had a history of hostility.

“Before the election, two three central ministers will visit Manipur daily to campaign. No central minister has so far visited Manipur ever since the clashes started. Not one; not even home minister Amit Shah has gone there despite such largescale violence,” he said.

The Congress asked the Prime Minister to immediately call representatives from both sides and start negotiations.

The party also demanded adequate security in villages, proper relief camps and a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for every person who lost his/ her life.