Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Congress president Okram Ibobi Singh took aim at the state government on September 17. He accused officials of failing their constitutional duty to keep order. The former three-time chief minister blamed the current administration for the chaos erupting since ethnic violence started in May 2023.
Ibobi says the Centre should have stepped in after the state failed to stop the fighting within three months. He remains critical of federal inaction. "When the state government failed to restore normalcy during the initial months, other means to restore peace should have been adopted," Ibobi stated at an event welcoming new members to the party.
Former chief secretary O Nabakishore Singh joined the Congress ranks during the same meeting. The political shift follows fresh violence in Tamenglong and Noney districts, where six people, including four women, recently died at the hands of armed attackers.
President's rule took hold in February 2025 after N Biren Singh resigned. That order lasted until February 2026. Ibobi claims leaders have lost all moral standing. "There is no shame in both the state and central governments. Time has come to teach both a lesson as they have divided the communities in the state," he added.
Updated at 18th September 2026 at 5:49pm
Manipur Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam slammed the Union Home Ministry for ignoring questions he raised in Parliament on August 11. He demanded clarity on extortion along state highways, potential ties between Kuki militant groups and recent killings, and whether the Suspension of Operations agreement should be scrapped entirely. Akoijam stated: It is very unfortunate that even after one month of raising the matter, the concerned authority has not responded.
The MP also took aim at the state government's push for the National Register of Citizens. He labeled the Manipur State Population Commission a hollow entity, noting it has lacked a chairperson and subject matter experts for over three years. Despite its formation in March 2023, the body has managed only two consultative meetings. Akoijam argued that central leaders continue to treat the Manipur crisis as a local nuisance rather than a national emergency.
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