Cong sounds Bhalla to help restore normalcy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 15 2026: Expressing concern over the unfolding situation in Manipur following the tragic incidents at Tronglaobi, a delegation of Congress leaders led by MPCC president Okram Ibobi met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan today and urged him to take necessary steps to restore normalcy in the State.

The delegation included Congress Working Committee member Gaikhangam.

MLAs K Ranjit, Surjakumar Okram, Th Lokeshwar, and former MPCC presidents M Okendro and N Loken.

During the meeting, which lasted around 30 minutes, the Congress team also submitted a memorandum to the Governor.

Speaking to the media outside Lok Bhavan, Ibobi, a former Chief Minister, while expressing concern over the tense situation in Manipur, questioned whether the Centre would allow a similar situation to occur in other States.

He further asked who is responsible for maintaining law and order in Manipur, asserting that the Indian Constitution empowers States to handle law and order within their jurisdictions.

"Is Manipur not a part of India?" he asked, urging the Central leadership to take immediate steps to restore normalcy in the State.

Regarding the CRPF firing that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, he stated that the Central forces should have used non-lethal methods, such as tear gas, water cannons, or lathi charges.

Even if the situation warranted, the protesters should have been shot in the legs.

He condemned the action of the CRPF.

The former Chief Minister also pointed out that there was a nearly 10-hour gap between the tragic bomb blast, which killed two siblings, and the CRPF firing, which claimed three more lives and injured several others.

He emphasised that the tragedy could have been avoided had the State forces acted promptly to control the protesters, adding that additional police personnel could have been deployed from other districts to Tronglaobi if necessary.

Meanwhile, he noted that the Congress party had suggested measures to resolve the tense situation in Manipur during a recent all-party meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

Ibobi also said that the Governor assured them he would convey their concerns to the Central Government at the earliest.

The Congress submitted the memorandum, urging appropriate actions from both the Central and State Governments, as they seemed to be taking no action, he said.

Comment