What Steps Did CWC Take to Address the Manipur Crisis?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Immediate dissolution of the state Assembly demanded.
- Call for fresh elections in Manipur amidst ongoing violence.
- Extended Congress Working Committee meeting attended by key party leaders.
- Criticism of the BJP’s handling of the situation in Manipur.
- Plans for a state-wide ‘Peace March’ to restore harmony.
Imphal/Patna, Sep 24 (NationPress) During an extensive Congress Working Committee meeting in Patna on Wednesday, the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur was a key focus. Leaders from the region called for the immediate dissolution of the state Assembly and the organization of new elections, as reported by a Congress representative.
The extended CWC session, chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, included prominent party figures from across India. The representatives from Manipur were state party chief Keisham Meghachandra Singh and Congress Legislature Party Leader Okram Ibobi Singh.
In the meeting, the state party chief articulated the persistent violence in Manipur and proposed solutions to the party's top decision-making body.
He emphasized that after over 29 months, a resolution to the ethnic violence remains elusive.
Meghachandra Singh criticized the BJP’s double engine government for its failure to restore peace, normalcy, and trust among various communities in the state.
He reiterated the commitment of the state unit to conduct a state-wide ‘Peace March’ aimed at fostering peace and harmony, while also advocating for the immediate dissolution of the Assembly and new elections.
Meghachandra Singh remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur was merely symbolic, lacking substance and genuine solutions for the populace.
The Congress Working Committee ultimately adopted a resolution concerning Manipur, stating: “After overseeing the disintegration of state and society in Manipur for more than two and a half years, the Prime Minister visited the state but failed to engage meaningfully with its citizens, offering only five hours of his time. The Union Government’s silence and inaction have fostered an environment where perpetrators of hate and violence are emboldened.”
Later, speaking to the media in Patna, Meghachandra Singh reiterated his call for the immediate dissolution of the Manipur Assembly and new elections, arguing that President’s Rule has utterly failed to restore peace and normalcy. He also underscored the party's seriousness in promoting peace through a state-wide peace march.
On his X account, he expressed gratitude to party President Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, General Secretary of Communications Jairam Ramesh, and all members of the extended Congress Working Committee for prioritizing Manipur in the CWC resolutions.
Since February 13, Manipur has been under President’s Rule, following the resignation of N Biren Singh as Chief Minister. The 60-member Manipur Assembly, now under suspended animation due to the President’s Rule, is set to serve until 2027.