Congress condemns killings in Manipur, says governments failed to use constitutional powers properly

NEW DELHI: The Manipur unit of the Congress on Thursday alleged that the recurring violence in the state was due to the inability of both the state and Union governments to properly exercise their constitutional powers.

The statement came a day after three suspected militants gunned down three church leaders in Kangpokpi, while a man was killed in Noney district.

State Congress chief O Ibobi Singh said, “We strongly condemn the killings. Three persons belonging to one community were killed on Wednesday morning, while a civilian from another community was killed in the evening in what appears to be a retaliatory act.”

O Ibobi Singh also questioned the Centre’s response, saying, “How long will the Central government remain a mute spectator to the series of killings taking place in the state? It appears as if the state has been left on its own, and different communities are being allowed to engage in violence.”

Referring to the ethnic violence that erupted in 2023, Singh said, “Even the Supreme Court had previously observed that law and order in the state had completely collapsed.”

The Congress leader further said, “Killings between communities will never bring any solution. It is time to shun revenge,” while reiterating that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the state government.

“The constitutional powers given to the government are not being properly used by both the state and Union governments. This, I believe, is the cause of the unrest,” O Ibobi Singh said.