Manipur Congress condemns twin ambush attacks in Manipur, alleges BJP focused more on elections than peace

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee on May 14 strongly condemned the two separate ambush attacks in Manipur that left four people dead and seven others injured, accusing the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state of failing to restore peace in the conflict-hit region.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan in Imphal, Congress Legislature Party leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said the killing of innocent civilians by armed militants was “highly condemnable.”

Ibobi Singh said Manipur has remained in conflict for more than three years and alleged that both the state and central governments had failed to resolve the crisis or ensure lasting peace.

“Instead, more people continue to die. The way the government is handling the law-and-order situation in Manipur is completely unconstitutional,” he said.

The senior Congress leader further alleged that the Centre appeared more focused on “electoral politics and winning elections” than addressing the ongoing crisis in the state.

The remarks came a day after three church leaders were killed and five others injured when unidentified armed militants ambushed two vehicles carrying members of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) in Kangpokpi district on May 13.

The attack took place between Kotzim and Kotlen villages while the victims were returning from Churachandpur after attending a TBA conference.

The deceased included Rev. Dr. V. Sitlhou, Pastor Kaigoulen Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou. The incident triggered widespread condemnation from several church bodies and civil society organisations across the Northeast and abroad.

In another incident later in the evening, one person belonging to the Chiru Naga community was killed and two others injured after suspected militants allegedly opened fire on a Bolero vehicle between Nungsai and Joujangtek along the Khoupum-Bishnupur road under Khoupum Police Station in Noney district.

According to reports, the attack took place around 6:20 pm. The deceased reportedly died on the spot, while the injured — including the victim’s wife and the driver — were shifted to Khoupum for medical treatment.