Manipur Chief Minister Holds Emergency Meetings Amid Rising Violence

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh held high-level meetings with opposition leaders and ruling alliance lawmakers on Tuesday following the killing of three civilians in Kangpokpi district on October 19. The meetings focused on security after armed miscreants shot dead three villagers who had gone to collect firewood at Khongbal Sunurok Uyok, under the jurisdiction of Sagolmang police station. The state government directed police and security forces to launch an urgent operation to arrest those responsible. At a meeting at the Secretariat, an INDIA Bloc delegation led by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh called for an immediate all-party meeting to discuss the security situation. The delegation included Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and CLP leader K. Meghachandra Singh. Opposition leaders expressed concern over the safety of civilians. Singh assured them that the proposals would be considered and called for collective efforts to restore normalcy. Meanwhile, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation, citing his failure to protect citizens. Congress leaders also criticised the removal of an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) post at Khamenlok, arguing that the move had left residents vulnerable to militant attacks. The People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) also condemned the continuing violence and urged the state government to press the Centre to abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki armed groups. PDA president Y. Joykumar alleged that central forces had failed to control the armed groups and accused certain militant leaders of operating without facing consequences. Later, the Chief Minister chaired an emergency meeting of NDA legislators. They unanimously condemned the killings in Imphal East and reviewed ongoing law enforcement measures.