Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president and former three-term Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said the fate of the strife-torn State would be decided by the Assembly elections which are scheduled in early 2027.
Alleging that law and order has “totally collapsed” under the current administration, Singh addressed mediapersons in Imphal and condemned Saturday’s arson at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district, where a mob of nearly 600 people allegedly torched at least three abandoned houses.
Terming the incident “very surprising”, the Congress leader said such violent episodes had become a recurring feature in Manipur.
“There is a huge Army camp with a large number of central forces also deployed in the area where the incident took place,” he said, questioning how such an incident could take place despite the heavy security presence.
Stressing the need for a fresh public mandate, Singh commented, “Time has come for the people to decide whether the BJP should continue or be removed. The coming Assembly elections are going to be crucial in deciding the future of Manipur.”
The Congress leader further alleged that state security personnel and fire tenders were allegedly prevented from entering the area while the abandoned houses were being set ablaze.
He further questioned the effectiveness of the ongoing President’s Rule in the state, Singh stating, “We want to ask whether President’s Rule is actually being implemented in Manipur or not. The absence of any statement from the state Home Minister on the incident is very unfortunate.”
Law and order has totally collapsed. Democracy is being wiped out from Manipur. How long can we tolerate such violent acts as Manipuris and as citizens of this country?”, he said.
He also questioned whether the state government was functioning independently or was “being controlled from the Centre through remote control”.
2027 assembly polls to decide fate of strife-torn manipur: ibobi singh
