Imphal: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) observed a “Black Day” at Congress Bhawan in Imphal to protest the detention of national opposition leaders.
The demonstration was led by state Congress president and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and focused on the central government’s handling of opposition protests and alleged misuse of democratic institutions.
Organised under the direction of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the protest brought together senior leaders and party workers under the banner “Save Democracy, Save Constitution, Save Manipur.”
The demonstration followed an October 7 incident in New Delhi, where Congress leaders alleged that security personnel used force to detain Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders during a march.
Addressing the media, Ibobi Singh called the action an attack on freedom of expression and described it as a “Black Day for democracy.” He accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Manipur of weakening constitutional institutions to retain political power.
Ibobi Singh also questioned the Election Commission of India’s handling of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing concerns over possible irregularities.
He said the Congress, along with the INDIA bloc and other democratic organisations, would continue its agitation until accountability was ensured.
Asked about the party’s position on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Ibobi Singh said the demonstrations would continue until the demand for Kumar’s resignation was met.
The latest protest followed a demonstration by MPCC members on September 25, when they marched towards the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Lamphelpat and demanded Kumar’s arrest and removal.
The protest led to clashes with security personnel, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The MPCC said the demonstrations were part of its opposition to the government’s handling of electoral processes and what it described as the misuse of constitutional institutions.