Manipur leaders from INDIA Bloc called for a united political response to the state’s worsening security crisis after suspected militants killed three firewood collectors in Kangpokpi district, urging Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to convene an all-party meeting and take decisive steps to restore peace.
Key Takeaways
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Opposition leaders urged Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to convene an all-party meeting after three civilians were killed in Kangpokpi district.
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Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh criticised the BJP-led state government over recurring violence and alleged failures in maintaining law and order.
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The Opposition raised concerns about the functioning of the Assam Rifles and called for civilian protection, accountability and Centre-state cooperation to restore peace.
Leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc met Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on October 20 and raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation following the killing of three civilians in Kangpokpi district. The delegation called for an all-party meeting and demanded effective measures to prevent further violence, protect civilians and restore normalcy.
The meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Babupara. It included former Chief Minister and state Congress president Okram Ibobi Singh, Congress Legislature Party leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh, Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, MLA Okram Surjakumar and representatives of other Opposition parties.
Opposition Demands All-Party Meeting
The INDIA bloc delegation expressed deep concern over the repeated incidents of violence and the loss of civilian lives. The leaders urged the Chief Minister to bring all political parties together to discuss the security crisis and find a way to restore peace.
In a social media post, Khemchand Singh said the meeting reviewed the overall security situation following the “tragic killing of three innocent civilians by armed miscreants”.
The Chief Minister said he had listened to the concerns raised by the political representatives and assured them that he would look into the issues. He added that the meeting also discussed ways to maintain peace and make collective efforts to restore normalcy in Manipur.
Ibobi Singh Questions Government’s Authority
Speaking to the media after the meeting, veteran Congress leader Ibobi Singh questioned the moral authority of the BJP-led government to remain in office amid recurring violence and civilian deaths.
He said the INDIA bloc delegation had met the Chief Minister because the law and order situation had deteriorated rapidly.
Ibobi Singh alleged that repeated violent incidents had claimed the lives of people from different communities. He also accused the state’s law enforcement machinery of failing to control the situation.
The former Chief Minister said protecting civilians was a fundamental responsibility of the government. He questioned how long people could continue to endure killings and violence involving members of the Naga, Kuki and Meitei communities.
“How long can we tolerate this? Day by day, people are killing each other,” he said.
Ibobi Singh also criticised the state government for not convening an all-party meeting despite repeated demands. He said the Congress and other INDIA bloc constituents could not remain silent over the government’s handling of the crisis.
Opposition Offers to Seek Centre’s Intervention
Ibobi Singh said the INDIA bloc was prepared to approach the Centre for assistance if the state government could not control the situation on its own.
He argued that if the Central government was serious about ending the crisis, it should be possible to curb violence and prevent armed groups from moving freely within a few days.
The Congress leader also accused the Centre of remaining a silent spectator while bloodshed continued in the state.
Three Firewood Collectors Killed in Kangpokpi
The meeting followed the killing of three firewood collectors by suspected militants at Khongban Sunurok in Kangpokpi district on Monday. The incident occurred near Nongshum in Imphal East district.
Held a cordial meeting with the representatives of the INDIA Bloc, led by former Chief Minister Hon’ble Shri Okram Ibobi Singh, accompanied by CLP leader and Hon’ble MLA Shri K. Meghachandra Singh; Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Shri Angomcha Bimol Akoijam; Hon’ble MLA Shri Okram Surjakumar and leaders of various political parties belonging to the INDIA Bloc, at my Secretariat, Babupara, today.
The meeting reviewed the overall security situation of the state following the tragic killing of three innocent civilians by armed miscreants at Nongshum, Imphal East, yesterday.
The representatives expressed deep concern over the incident and urged me to convene an all-political-party meeting in view of the prevailing situation.
I gave them a patient hearing and assured them that the matter would be looked into.
We also had a constructive discussion on maintaining peace and collective efforts for the restoration of normalcy in the state.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) October 20, 2026
Reports also indicated that several other people sustained injuries in the attack.
The killings have renewed concerns among Opposition leaders over civilian security and the authorities’ ability to prevent further violence.
INDIA Bloc Raises Concerns Over Assam Rifles
Congress Legislature Party leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh later said the delegation had raised serious concerns about the role and functioning of the Assam Rifles in Manipur.
He said the Opposition leaders urged the state government to address public concerns about security and the protection of civilian lives.
The delegation called for immediate and effective action to stop the violence, protect civilians, establish accountability and restore peace and normalcy.
The INDIA bloc delegation included representatives of the CPI-M, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, among other parties.
The meeting brought the Opposition’s demand for a collective political response to the forefront, with the delegation pressing the state government to act decisively against the continuing violence. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)