Imphal: Former Chief Minister and MPCC president Okram Ibobi Singh challenged the Manipur government today. He cited a breakdown in law and order across both hill and valley regions. Violence persists. Speaking at Congress Bhawan in Imphal, Ibobi criticized officials for merely condemning attacks and shuffling investigations to the National Investigation Agency without fixing the root causes.
Ibobi pointed to a wave of bloodshed between August 31 and September 26. He demanded answers regarding ongoing clashes between Kuki and Naga groups. The security presence is failing, he claimed. "How long will people in both the hills and valley have to live without adequate safety and security," he asked. He wants the government to present a concrete roadmap to end the crisis.
Questions remain about the deployment of central forces. Ibobi demanded transparency regarding the role of CRPF CoBRA units currently stationed in hill areas. He also addressed rumors of foreign interference. If intelligence confirms the presence of foreign actors, he insisted that the central government must take immediate, decisive action to intervene.
Updated at 27th September 2026 at 1:49pm
Ibobi pointed to the state's security woes dating back to 2017. He accused the government of prioritizing empty statements over boots on the ground action. The veteran leader argued that state forces could actually stabilize the troubled areas if the administration stopped side-lining them and provided the necessary authority and support.
He also raised concerns regarding the border. Ibobi referenced previous operations by central forces against militant groups along the Myanmar border, demanding to know why similar muscle isn't being used to protect civilians from attacks in those same border zones. He pressed the Centre to clarify if there is a hidden agenda behind the ongoing unrest.
Updated at 28th September 2026 at 9:51pm
The Manipur People's Party (MPP) joined the chorus of criticism against the BJP-led government, zeroing in on the failure to protect civilians in Naga-inhabited areas. General Secretary Arambam Karamjit Singh noted that despite the deployment of 60 companies of security personnel and two battalions of CRPF CoBRA commandos, attacks continue unabated.
Karamjit highlighted the toll of the ongoing conflict, citing over 250 deaths and the displacement of thousands since May 2023, many of whom still cannot return home. He specifically targeted the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki armed groups, alleging frequent violations of established ground rules. The party is now demanding that the government either enforce these rules with iron-fisted discipline or scrap the agreement entirely.
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