Ibobi Singh Slams Manipur Security Failure as Congress Adds 11 New Candidates

Imphal: Manipur Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh declared the 2027 Assembly elections a turning point for the state. He blasted the government for a total collapse of order. This follows a Saturday arson attack in Kanto Sabal. A mob of roughly 600 people torched three abandoned houses. The incident occurred near a large Army base. Heavy central forces stood nearby. Yet, authorities stopped fire tenders from entering the site.

Ibobi questioned if President's Rule still holds any weight in the state. He mocked the silence of the state Home Minister. "Law and order has totally collapsed," the former three-time chief minister said. He alleged the state government operates via remote control from New Delhi. Ibobi noted the conflict started May 3, 2023. He blamed the Centre for letting the unrest fester.

The Congress also recruited 11 new members in Imphal to prepare for the 2027 polls. Former police officer Thounaojam Brinda was among the group. She previously made waves for leading a 2018 anti-drug operation. Brinda confirmed she will run for the Yaiskul constituency. She lost that seat in 2022 to the current Speaker, Thokchom Satyabrata.

The full list of new recruits includes former BJP candidate M Anwar Hussain, Kh Devendro, Colonel Md Sahid Khan, Laishram Sashibhusan, Longjam Suranjoy, B Sharat Sharma, Th Oxford, Yengkhom Sanjeep, Kh Gambhir, and Md Nasir Khan. The party aims to use this new bloc to challenge the BJP when voters head to the polls in February 2027.