Imphal, Oct 19 The Congress on Monday slammed the Manipur government after suspected militants shot dead three firewood collectors, saying “continued killings have made people feel orphaned” and seeking Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s resignation.
Three people collecting firewood in a forest were killed allegedly by militants in Manipur on Monday, triggering protests by locals who placed two bodies outside the chief minister’s residence here.
Three others were also injured as militants opened fire on 16 firewood collectors, all belonging to the Meitei community, on the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, officials said, adding that three more have gone missing.
Former chief minister N Biren Singh visited three persons injured in the gun attack.
Talking to reporters later, he said, “Everyone has been told that peace has returned. As a Manipuri and as a Meitei, we cannot keep counting the dead. Continued killings have made people feel orphaned.”
“The time has come for like-minded people to come together and make efforts to save the indigenous people. It has become embarrassing to even issue a condemnation,” Biren Singh said and urged the government for adequate deployment of security personnel in vulnerable areas.
Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Keisham Meghachandra expressed deep sorrow over the death and alleged that the Y Khemchand Singh government has failed to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
“The continued loss of innocent lives reflects the grave security challenges confronting the state and raises serious questions about the government’s handling of the ongoing crisis,” he told reporters.
Manipur’s ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities, which erupted in May 2023, has claimed at least 306 lives while several remain missing. Since February this year, around 50 people have been killed in clashes between Kukis and Nagas in the state.
The CLP leader also demanded that Y Khemchand Singh resign as chief minister, taking moral responsibility for the “deteriorating situation”. “The people of Manipur deserve a government capable of ensuring the safety of every citizen, irrespective of community.”
Following the incident, the chief minister held a meeting to review the security situation in the state, during which he strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilians and directed officials to strengthen security measures in vulnerable areas.
(PTI News)
