Manipur Pradesh Congress slams ‘double engine govt’, says state crisis still far from resolved

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Keisham Meghachandra on Monday, November 24 accused the BJP-led “double engine government” of failing to restore normalcy in Manipur, as protests against the upcoming Sangai Festival continue to intensify across the valley districts.

Speaking to the media at the Congress Bhawan, Meghachandra said the rising wave of demonstrations by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and civil society groups reflects the government’s inability to resolve the ongoing crisis or ensure a sense of security among affected communities.

He criticised both the Centre and the state government, stating that their assurances of phased resettlement for IDPs by December remain unfulfilled. “The government is not serious about ending the conflict. Their promises of rehabilitation have not materialised, leaving thousands of IDPs to continue suffering in relief camps,” he alleged.

Widespread protests have been reported from various valley areas over the past few days, with IDPs demanding restoration of peace before the state hosts the Sangai Festival. On Monday, a large group of IDPs from relief camps in Imphal East attempted to return to their native villages. Security forces stopped them at Dolaithabi, leading to a brief confrontation in which at least four displaced persons sustained injuries.

The MPCC reiterated that hosting a tourism festival amid unresolved humanitarian and security concerns sends a wrong message and urged the government to prioritise peace, rehabilitation, and dialogue.