The Congress on 25 October 2026 demanded the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh, saying the state government had not prevented a fresh outbreak of communal violence and failed to protect civilians. The allegation came during a press conference led by Congress MP and Manipur in-charge Saptagiri Ulaka, who set out a series of steps the party wants taken immediately.
What Congress is asking for
- Resignation of the Manipur chief minister.
- Time-bound investigations and prosecution into killings, arson, firing and destruction of civilian property.
- Strict enforcement of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) ground rules and restoration of free movement across the state.
- A credible rehabilitation roadmap to enable the return of displaced persons.
At the Kangpokpi district Sinai Camp — one of the designated SoO camps — Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh carried out an inspection on 25 October, accompanied by officials, a visit that Opposition leaders cited while demanding accountability. Congress leaders cited several recent incidents, including the killing on 19 October of three Meitei civilians who were collecting firewood, and clashes in Kamjong district that reportedly left Kuki and Naga civilians dead.
“No armed group or individual attacking civilians should enjoy ‘political protection or immunity’,” Saptagiri Ulaka said at the press conference.
The party also described mass protests on 23 October, when they said thousands across five districts marched towards Lok Bhavan before being stopped by police. Mr Ulaka alleged that police used tear gas and carried out lathi charges to disperse the demonstrators. Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba, who had visited the state earlier in October, said women continued to bear the brunt of the conflict and faced ongoing hardship.
Figures cited and ground realities
Congress speakers provided casualty and displacement figures dating back to May 2023. They said roughly 300 people had been killed since that time, about 60,000 displaced, with approximately 24,000 still not returned home.
| Item | Figure cited by Congress |
|---|---|
| Deaths since May 2023 | 300 |
| Displaced persons | 60,000 |
| Yet to return | 24,000 |
Mr Ulaka claimed that some armed groups held weaponry that was more sophisticated than that available to security forces. He asked for the SoO ground rules to be strictly enforced and for civilians in vulnerable areas to receive immediate protection. The Congress called for an independent, credible plan for rehabilitation and safe return of those displaced.
The party’s demands add pressure on the state government as it confronts allegations of poor law-and-order management during the renewed phase of violence. Officials from the Manipur government and security forces have not released a joint public response in the text reported at the press conference; the statements and figures above are those advanced by the Congress on 25 October 2026.
For readers tracking internal security, the developments underscore continued challenges to restoring normalcy across multiple districts, maintaining implementation of SoO arrangements and addressing long-term displacement and rehabilitation needs in Manipur.
