Kangpokpi Congress blames Govt for prolonged conflict, appeals for dialogue
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, September 02 2026: The Sadar Hills District Congress Committee (SH-DCC) on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Manipur Government, accusing it of "abject failure" in containing the prolonged conflict and alleging that political bickering among senior leaders was further aggravating tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities in the State's volatile hill districts.

Expressing serious concern over the deteriorating situation in the border areas of Kangpokpi, Senapati and Noney districts, the SH-DCC said the communities had traditionally maintained cordial relations and shared their day-to-day hardships despite the wider conflict in Manipur.

The situation, however, has deteriorated amid what the Congress body described as a "continuous and total failure" of the BJP-led Government to contain the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023."The total breakdown of trust and harmony among communities" had resulted in fear, insecurity, burning of houses and villages and killings of villagers in the "neglected and unguarded" border areas, the SH-DCC alleged.

The district Congress committee accused the two Deputy Chief Ministers from the region of indulging in blame games instead of jointly addressing the crisis.

"Rather than coming together to find a solution to the crisis, both are engaged in calling names and finger pointing just to avoid and run away from their responsibilities and accountability," it alleged.

The Congress body said the political differences between the two leaders have exposed serious shortcomings in governance and crisis management.

"At a time when the people are expecting both the leaders to sit together and find a solution through concrete dialogue and reconciliation, they are busy scoring political mileage from the prevailing situation," it said.

Peace cannot be restored through "mere rhetoric or administrative formalities", it said, calling for political will, transparent governance and an impartial approach towards both communities.

It demanded immediate and effective measures to contain violence and restore peace and normalcy in all affected areas, along with equal protection for all communities.

The Congress body also demanded firm and impartial actions against individuals or groups promoting violence, hatred and communal disharmony.

An inclusive peace dialogue involving political representatives and community leaders from both the Kuki and Naga communities must be initiated immediately, it added.

The SH-DCC continued that it has already approached the Kangpokpi district administration with the same proposal to start a dialogue which could serve as a confidence-building measure to restore trust, mutual respect and social cohesion.

The Congress committee also appealed to Church leaders, civil society organisations, women's groups, youth leaders and student bodies from both communities to play constructive roles in promoting reconciliation and preventing the spread of misinformation and divisive narratives.

It urged the people, particularly in Kangpokpi and Senapati, to reject violence and hatred.

The committee expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the recent violence and reaffirmed its commitment to support efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and communal harmony.

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