Manipur Congress Holds Black Day Protest Over Opposition Arrests

Imphal: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee members observed a Black Day at the party office in Imphal. Led by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, the group slammed the government for the recent detention of opposition heavyweights. The protest hit the streets under the banner Save Democracy, Save Constitution, Save Manipur. It followed a directive from the All India Congress Committee.

The tension stems from an October 7 incident in New Delhi. Congress leaders claim security forces used excessive force to detain Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a march. Ibobi Singh blasted the BJP-led government for using state power to silence dissent. He said the event was a "Black Day for democracy" while calling the police action an assault on fundamental freedoms.

The party has sharpened its attacks on the Election Commission of India. Ibobi Singh questioned how the commission is handling the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He is now demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party insists that protests will persist until officials face accountability.

This marks a repeat of local unrest. On September 25, Congress workers marched on the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Lamphelpat. That event turned violent after police deployed tear gas to break up the crowd. Now, the MPCC plans to lean on the INDIA bloc to keep the pressure high. They want to force a change in how the government manages electoral systems.