Chairman of the congress party prof. A. Bimol Akoijam. File | Photo credit: ANI
The Congress on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) condemned the killing of three Christian leaders in Manipur and accused the Center of not acting decisively to end the ongoing violence in the state.
Addressing a press conference here at the old party headquarters, Manipur Congress MP A. Bimol Akoijam mentioned the killing of three church leaders in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday (May 12). He said five people were injured in the attack and another person was later killed in a separate shooting in the evening.
Mr. Akoijam said the incident was part of the ongoing violence that has gripped Manipur since May 3, 2023, and alleged that both the state and the central government had abdicated their responsibility to protect the people.
“If the Indian government had intervened in time, the violence could have been stopped long ago,” he said, adding that there is a growing impression among people that a section of the establishment is complicit in the violence.
Alleging that there was a “deliberate plan” to create lawlessness and destroy Manipur, the Congress leader alleged that the BJP’s policy of social polarization was aimed at dividing communities in the state.
He said that instead of restoring normalcy, the “sphere of violence” had expanded over time. Referring to the recent attack on Tangkhul villages along the Myanmar border, he claimed that armed foreign elements had attacked Indian villages barely a week ago.
“The Modi government has not only failed to protect the lives and property of citizens in Manipur, but has also denied that the attack took place,” he said.
Mr. Akoijam said there was a growing feeling among the people that the Indian government was indifferent to their safety and security.
“If the Union Government does not act, where should we go for our right to protection?” he said, adding: “It would be very embarrassing for our country if people were to think about contacting the UN. I know we are fully capable of handling the situation.”
The Congressman called for immediate action and urged the Center to crack down on armed groups operating in the state and ensure protection of lives and property. He also demanded that the report of the commission of inquiry set up to probe the violence in Manipur be made public.
Published – 14 May 2026 22:13 IST
