Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Saturday said the 2027 Assembly elections would be decisive for the future of the violence-hit state, alleging that law and order had “totally collapsed” under the present administration.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Imphal, Singh condemned the arson incident at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district, where a mob of nearly 600 people allegedly set fire to at least three abandoned houses.
Describing the incident as “very surprising”, he said such acts of violence had become a recurring feature in Manipur. He pointed out that Kanto Sabal is located near a major Army camp and that a large number of central security personnel are deployed in the area, questioning how the incident could occur despite the heavy security presence.
Singh further alleged that state security personnel and fire service teams were prevented from entering the area while the abandoned houses were being torched.
Questioning the effectiveness of the President’s Rule imposed in the state, the Congress leader asked whether it was actually being implemented in Manipur and described the absence of any statement from the state Home Minister on the incident as unfortunate.
Alleging a complete collapse of governance, the former three-time Chief Minister claimed that democracy was being eroded in the state and questioned how long people could continue to endure such incidents of violence.
He also alleged that the state government was not functioning independently and was instead being controlled from the Centre.
Calling for a fresh public mandate, Singh said the people would have to decide whether the BJP should remain in power, asserting that the Assembly elections scheduled for February 2027 would play a crucial role in determining Manipur’s future.
Earlier in the day, the Congress inducted 11 new members into the party, including former police officer Th Brinda Devi and former BJP candidate Anwar Hussain, as part of its efforts to strengthen the organisation ahead of the Assembly elections.
