The Manipur Congress has condemned the recent killings of civilians in Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts, accusing the state and Central governments of failing to take effective measures to end the continuing violence and restore security.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan, Congress Legislature Party leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh said at least five people belonging to the Kuki and Naga communities had been killed and three others injured in separate incidents reported over the past 24 hours.
According to Meghachandra, four Naga persons were killed in an ambush allegedly carried out by armed militants along the Imphal-Ukhrul road near New Heaven on November 13. He also reported that a Kuki farmer was killed and two others injured while working in a paddy field at Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district on November 12. In a separate incident, a Naga farmer was reportedly shot and injured while working in a paddy field at Ihang Plains in Sinakeithei village, Ukhrul district.
Questioning the government’s response, Meghachandra asked how many more lives would be lost before concrete action was taken to end the violence. He alleged that despite repeated incidents of killings and arson over the past three years, the Centre and state government had failed to ensure lasting security.
He said the government’s response had largely remained confined to condemnations, expressions of condolences and announcements of inquiries, without delivering justice to victims.
Warning that the absence of accountability could deepen mistrust and encourage retaliatory violence, he questioned the lack of a clear roadmap from the Centre and the state government to resolve the crisis.
The Congress leader said people were not seeking sympathy but expected the government to discharge its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property. He urged the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Chief Minister and state Home Minister to demonstrate greater urgency, stressing that security, justice and accountability remained the primary demands.
