Imphal: Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has made an urgent appeal to Kuki militants holding six innocent civilians, including three minors and three women, to release them on humanitarian grounds, calling it would be their right and wise decision.
Speaking to the media at his official residence in Babupara, Imphal, the veteran Congress leader questioned the legitimacy of a government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens. He pointed out that he and his party have repeatedly appealed to both the Centre and the State for the last 18 months, but their requests have largely been ignored.
He emphasized that it is the government’s duty to ensure the safety of its citizens, and if it cannot, it should openly admit its inability. Ibobi clarified that his statement was not an attempt to push for an alternative Congress government.
The former CM also raised concerns over whether Manipur is still truly part of India, given the state’s inability to resolve its ongoing conflict. He noted that this is not a war between countries like Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, or India-Myanmar.
Ibobi stressed that the Central government should have intervened from the beginning to assist the state government in resolving the crisis. He pointed out that over 60,000 people are living in relief camps under deplorable conditions, likening their treatment to that of animals.
He reiterated that the Congress party believes there is no place for violence in a democratic society, and that every country should seek to resolve conflicts through dialogue. Ibobi stated that his party has consistently offered suggestions, even during meetings with the Union Home Minister, to help end the violence. He called on the Centre to facilitate talks between the conflicting parties and take decisive steps to quell the violence.
The Centre, Ibobi added, must make it clear that Manipur’s territorial integrity will not be compromised at any cost and must disarm all militant factions.
He also urged both the Centre and the State to stop acting as silent spectators in the ongoing crisis.
Later in the evening, five Congress legislators met with Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in Guwahati and submitted a memorandum addressing the situation.
