Former police officer Thounaojam Brinda and 10 others joined the Congress as Brinda alleged Manipur violence is "state-sponsored terrorism" and Congress party intensified its attack on the BJP ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Imphal, July 12: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Sunday launched a fresh political offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with former police officer Thounaojam Brinda alleging that the ongoing violence in the state was "state-sponsored violence and terrorism" and senior Congress leaders accusing both the Centre and the BJP-led administration of failing to restore peace.
The remarks came during a function at the MPCC office where 11 prominent individuals, including Brinda, formally joined the Indian National Congress (INC) as the party intensified preparations for the 13th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, expected in early 2027.
Addressing party workers after joining the Congress, Brinda alleged that the prolonged unrest in Manipur reflected a complete collapse of governance.
Referring to the recent arson at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district, where several houses were set on fire, she argued that the incident should not merely be viewed as communal violence.
"Instead of calling such incidents communal conflict, when viewed deeply, this is state-sponsored violence and terrorism," Brinda alleged.
She claimed the BJP government had remained involved in the crisis "from beginning to end" and questioned who would compensate families whose homes and properties had been destroyed. She maintained that if the government could not provide justice and rehabilitation, a change in government had become necessary.
Brinda further asserted that the violence, which has continued for more than three years, was damaging the future of the state and alleged that only a handful of people were responsible for sustaining the unrest. She called for those individuals to be identified and brought to justice.
Claiming that people affected by the conflict required a government that genuinely represented their interests, Brinda urged the public to place their trust in the Congress.
Speaking at the induction programme, MPCC president and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh criticised the BJP over its handling of the Manipur crisis.
He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had responded swiftly to developments involving Pakistan but had remained silent on the prolonged violence in Manipur. According to Ibobi, the BJP had governed by creating divisions among communities instead of restoring peace and stability.
Welcoming the new entrants into the party, Ibobi said they had joined the Congress with the objective of protecting Manipur and safeguarding its future.
The induction ceremony was attended by Congress Working Committee member Gaikhangam, former MP Thokchom Meinya, legislators, former MLAs and senior party leaders, besides a large gathering of supporters.
The 11 new Congress members are Thingujam Oxford (Thongju), Longjam Suranjoy (Keirao), Yengkhom Sanjeep (Thangmeiband), Laishram Sachibhushan (Uripok), B Sharatchandra Sharma and Thounaojam Brinda (Yaiskul), Kh Devendro and Kh Gambhir (Sekmai), and Md Nasir Khan, M Anwar Hussain and Colonel Mohamad Sahid Khan (Lilong).
Later, addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan, Ibobi questioned whether an effective government existed in Manipur under President's Rule.
Describing Saturday's arson at Kanto Sabal as shocking, he noted that violent incidents continued to occur almost daily despite heavy deployment of security forces.
Questioning how several houses could be torched in an area located close to an Army camp, Ibobi alleged that the state's law and order machinery had collapsed.
He also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for merely describing the incident as unfortunate without announcing stronger measures to prevent similar attacks.
Ibobi further alleged that the BJP government in Manipur functioned under the "remote control" of the Central BJP leadership and lacked the authority to independently address the state's problems.
He also expressed concern over the delay in holding Autonomous District Council elections, claiming it had raised questions about the future of democratic institutions in the state. Fresh Assembly elections should be conducted on schedule, he added, while urging voters to remove the BJP from power.
Responding to a question from reporters, Ibobi criticised Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh's reported statement expressing ignorance about a proposed bridge connecting Chandel and Churachandpur districts, calling such a response irresponsible for the head of the state government.
AICC Research and Monitoring and Communication Department in-charge Amitabh Dubey also criticised the Centre's handling of the conflict, stating that the violence which began on May 3, 2023, continues without resolution.
He claimed that more than 60,000 displaced people remain unable to return to their homes and alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government had remained indifferent to the humanitarian crisis. He said the Prime Minister must take responsibility for restoring peace in Manipur.
Inner Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam, who also addressed the media, described the Kanto Sabal incident as part of the continuing violence that began in May 2023 rather than an isolated occurrence.
He observed that public confidence in the security establishment had weakened and questioned how the latest attack could have taken place despite the presence of security forces in the area.
On July 11, 2026, Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam visited Kanto Sabal along the Imphal West–Kangpokpi border after several abandoned Meitei houses were set ablaze in an alleged arson attack. According to local accounts, a mob reportedly advanced from the direction of Leimakhong before torching multiple residential structures.
During his visit, the MP confronted personnel of the 18 Punjab Regiment and the Manipur Police, questioning how the attack could have occurred in broad daylight despite the presence of security forces in the area. He sought an explanation as to why the attackers were not intercepted or fired upon even after smoke from the burning houses became visible.
Akoijam alleged that the incident reflected a serious security lapse and stated that he had documented the events through video recordings. He said the footage would be presented before the national leadership in New Delhi to seek accountability for the alleged failure to prevent the arson.
The MP maintained that the Kanto Sabal incident should not be viewed in isolation but as part of the continuing violence that has affected Manipur since May 2023. He further asserted that public confidence in the security establishment had eroded and called for a thorough inquiry into the circumstances that allowed the attack to take place despite heavy deployment of security personnel.
