As Manipur grapples with ongoing violence, Congress finds itself caught between political expediency and demands for justice. From endorsing Amit Shah’s decisions to condemning the Centre’s inaction, the party’s ever-shifting stance raises questions about its commitment to a clear and consistent policy.
BY Navin Upadhyay
The Congress party in Manipur on March 1 welcomed the decisions made at the high-level security review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting focused on restoring normalcy in the state, including the surrender of looted and illegal arms, ensuring free movement across all roads, and cracking down on poppy cultivation and illegal immigration—key demands of the Meitei community and its leadership.
This endorsement by the Manipur Congress stood in stark contrast to the party’s national leadership, which continued to criticize the Modi government’s handling of the crisis. Notably, the review meeting did not address any of the demands raised by the Kuki-Zo community, notably prosecuting those responsible for rape, murder, arson, and assaults.
This contradiction highlights the Congress party’s deepening confusion regarding its stance on Manipur. First, Congress MP Bimol Akoijam sparked outrage within the Kuki-Zo community by allegedly pushing an “unacceptable” narrative of “compromise”‘ that appeared to align with the Meitei perspective. Then came the party’s shifting position on President’s Rule. For months, Congress had demanded the dismissal of the Biren Singh government and the imposition of central rule. But when the Centre finally acted—securing Biren Singh’s resignation and placing Manipur under direct governance—the party reversed its position, calling for the restoration of democracy.
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VIDEO | Imphal: Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh on Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairing a high-level review meeting on the security situation in Manipur earlier today:
“The meeting in Delhi chaired by Amit Shah ji — in fact, the outcome and decisions of… pic.twitter.com/zCzlvK1Gdh
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 1, 2025
Now, Congress finds itself entangled in yet another contradiction. While its national social media head, Supriya Shrinate, attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi fon Saturday or allegedly “abandoning Manipur,” its Manipur state unit, led by Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh, hailed Amit Shah’s decisions as positive steps toward peace—without acknowledging that the meeting failed to accommodate any of the Congress long-pending demands on Manipur.
‘Congress’ Ever-Shifting Stance on Manipur
Since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, the Congress party has insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must personally visit the state. Despite repeated demands, the Modi government has provided no explanation for the PM’s continued absence.
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More importantly, Shah’s security measures, while addressing Meitei concerns, did not acknowledge Congress’ or the Kuki-Zo community’s calls for justice. There was no mention of accountability for the brutal crimes committed during the violence—women paraded naked, children murdered alongside their mothers, and widespread rape and destruction. The Kuki-Zo community has consistently stated that peace is impossible without justice, a point Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly emphasized in Parliament and public speeches.
Adding to the contradictions, Congress has also failed to take a clear stance on the recent meeting between Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla and Arambai Tenggol, a valley-based private militia. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating Arambai Tenggol’s leaders for serious crimes, including assaults on security forces, looting of weapons, and murder. Yet, the group was allowed to negotiate with the Governor as a “civil society” organization. The Congress, which has frequently criticized the BJP for inaction on militant groups, has remained largely silent on this development.
The Congress also failed to effectively corner the administration on the abduction of senior Manipur journalist Yambem Laba and the police’s inaction in arresting those responsible for the crime. This was a horrific act, as Laba was abducted at gunpoint by dozens of militants and forced to offer an apology upon his release. Everyone in Manipur knows who was behind the abduction, yet Congress remained silent.
Amit Shah’s Strategy and Congress’ Dilemma
The high-level security meeting convened by Amit Shah focused on addressing Manipur’s security concerns through key measures:
• Surrender of looted and illegal arms
• Crackdown on poppy cultivation and drug trafficking
• Expedited border fencing to curb illegal immigration from Myanmar
• Removal of unauthorized checkpoints along highways
• Restoration of free movement across Manipur starting March 8
These measures largely align with demands made by Meitei organizations, including COCOMI and Arambai Tenggol. While the Manipur Congress welcomed the steps taken by the Home Minister, Shrinate flayed the Modi government for failing to act sooner.
“Manipur has been burning. Violence continues even today. Over 60,000 women and children remain in relief camps. Property worth billions has been destroyed. People are openly carrying weapons for drug trafficking, yet the Prime Minister has no time for Manipur,” Shrinate said.
She further questioned why Modi could visit the US, UK, Greece, and South Africa but refuses to step foot in Manipur.
The Political Fallout
Congress’ inability to maintain a coherent stance on Manipur risks alienating both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The party’s national leadership continues to attack the Modi government for its failures, while its state unit cautiously supports the Centre’s actions. This disconnect may erode Congress’ credibility in Manipur.
With the situation still fragile, Congress faces a critical decision: will it continue to oscillate between political expediency and principled demands for justice, or will it finally clarify its position on the crisis? For now, the party remains caught in a web of contradictions—simultaneously endorsing and opposing the Centre’s actions, a strategy that may prove politically costly in the long run.
