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.
Comments