Congress MLA Kangujam Ranjit has launched a sharp attack on the Manipur government over its failure to end the violence that has devastated the State for more than three years, describing the present situation as one of the most unfortunate and distressing phases in Manipur’s history.
Ranjit was speaking at a programme on the theme “Voice of the Voiceless” organised by the Sugnu Block Congress Committee at Ima Thumkhong Lairembi Harao Shanglen, Waikhong Keithel. The programme was jointly organised by the Waikhong Ningthoumanai Congress Mahila and workers, Development Committee Waikhong and Youth Front Waikhong, with the participation of Congress leaders, constituency workers and members of the public.
Ranjit said the violence that began on May 3, 2023, had resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of homes and prolonged displacement of people from their ancestral places. He alleged that the continuing crisis reflected prolonged failures of governance and questioned the government’s inability to restore normalcy despite the existence of a 60-member Legislative Assembly.
He said Manipur required political leadership capable of rising above community interests, bringing divided communities together and restoring public confidence. Instead, he alleged, the existing political arrangement had failed to provide the direction necessary to resolve the crisis.
Referring to the State’s transition from President’s Rule to an elected government, Ranjit questioned what had changed on the ground and why the elected administration had failed to deliver a credible roadmap for peace.
He also criticised the functioning of the Council of Ministers, questioning the limited distribution of portfolios and the political arrangement involving Deputy Chief Ministers from different communities. According to Ranjit, such arrangements risk reinforcing communal divisions rather than promoting unity.
He further referred to developments surrounding Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and alleged differences within the political leadership, questioning whether a divided leadership could realistically deliver a settlement to the prolonged conflict.
Ranjit said democracy could not be reduced to elections and legislative numbers while people’s lives, property and dignity remained under threat. He demanded decisive political action to restore peace, rebuild trust and ensure that the prolonged crisis does not deepen further.