Imphal: Ahead of the Manipur Legislative Assembly session scheduled to begin on September 2, the opposition Congress party has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, accusing his government of failing to protect civilian lives and property.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan on BT Road on August 28, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) General Secretary Soraisam Manaoton questioned the government’s performance and said it had failed in its primary responsibility of protecting citizens.
“There is absolutely no point in having a government if it cannot fulfil its primary duty of protecting innocent citizens and their properties,” Manaoton said. He added that the Chief Minister should accept moral responsibility for the ongoing bloodshed and step down.
Manaoton also criticised Khemchand’s governance, describing his administration as lacking authority. Khemchand assumed power on February 4, 2026, following a period of President’s Rule in the state.
According to the MPCC, the government has failed to establish effective law and order since taking charge.
Manaoton also accused the government of favouring a particular community, saying this had deepened divisions and affected public trust. “Given this government’s abject failure, the citizens of Manipur can no longer expect anything from the current regime,” he said.
The Congress renewed its criticism following the killing of four Liangmai Naga individuals in an attack allegedly carried out by suspected Kuki militants along the IT Road on August 27, 2026.
Manaoton expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and said the Congress condemned the killings.
He said people had initially hoped that the Khemchand-led government would restore peace and normalcy in the outer districts. However, he said the situation had instead worsened.
He added that the conflict was affecting communities that had previously remained neutral, including the Naga community.
Manaoton also referred to incidents of violence since February. He mentioned the killing of two toddlers at Tronglaobi, the killing of several Thadou leaders, the murder of six Liangmai civilians in an earlier incident and the killing of four more Liangmai citizens in the latest attack.
Manaoton criticised the law enforcement machinery, saying the government had failed to deliver justice or apprehend those responsible in these cases.
With violence continuing across the hill areas and the civilian death toll rising, the Congress party said it would corner the government over these security lapses during the upcoming Assembly session.