Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Okram Ibobi Singh has criticised the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state, accusing them of failing to take effective steps to resolve the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress office in Imphal on Sunday, Ibobi alleged that the state’s law and order situation has deteriorated completely and claimed that the prolonged unrest was a result of the Centre’s inaction.
Reacting to the violence at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district on Saturday, where a mob allegedly torched three abandoned houses, the Congress leader questioned the role of security forces deployed in the area. He asked why local forces and fire tenders were reportedly unable to reach the spot despite the presence of a large number of Central security personnel.
“People want to know whether President’s Rule is continuing in the state or not,” Ibobi said, while questioning the absence of a strong response from the state Home Minister over the incident.
Drawing comparisons with the Centre’s response to security incidents in other parts of the country, including the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Ibobi alleged that Manipur has been allowed to remain unstable since the violence began on May 3, 2023.
He further claimed that the powers of the elected state government have been weakened and alleged that decisions related to Manipur are being controlled from New Delhi.
“Democracy is being wiped out from Manipur,” Ibobi said, alleging that the Centre was waiting for the conflict to end due to public exhaustion rather than taking concrete measures to restore peace.
With the 2027 Manipur Assembly elections approaching, the three-time Chief Minister said the polls would be crucial for the state’s future. He urged voters to make a decisive choice, stating that the upcoming election would determine the political direction of Manipur amid the continuing crisis.