In one of his sharpest public statements since becoming Member of Parliament, Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Congress has accused former Manipur Chief Minister and Home Minister N. Biren Singh of presiding over a period of severe unrest marked by loss of lives, destruction of homes, and the disappearance of citizens.
Speaking during an interaction with the media, Dr. Bimol said, “Under Biren’s watch, youths were killed, families were displaced, and people like Linthoingambi and Kamal Babu went missing. Even if he has amnesia, history will not forget.”
The Congress MP’s remarks come at a time when Manipur continues to grapple with deep social and ethnic divisions following months of conflict that erupted in 2023. While violence has subsided in intensity, thousands remain displaced, and large areas of the state continue to live under heavy security presence.
“Leadership Failure Has Cost Lives”
Dr. Bimol criticized what he described as the collapse of governance and moral responsibility under Biren Singh’s leadership. “The people of Manipur are still suffering from the consequences of a failed government. Lives were lost, homes were burnt, and yet there has been little accountability,” he said.
He argued that the crisis exposed the weakness of both the administrative machinery and the political will to protect citizens, adding that the state leadership failed in its fundamental duty to uphold peace and human dignity.
Context: Unrest and Lingering Pain
The remarks allude to several incidents of youth killings and disappearances during the peak of Manipur’s ethnic violence. Families of missing persons, including Linthoingambi and Kamal Babu, continue to seek justice and closure.
While the former CM has maintained that the government did everything possible under extreme circumstances, critics have repeatedly pointed to lapses in early intervention, lack of coordination between law enforcement agencies, and delayed humanitarian response.
Political Repercussions
Political observers see Dr. Bimol’s statement as part of a broader narrative within the Congress — positioning itself as the moral counterpoint to what it portrays as Biren’s “failure of empathy and governance.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has often defended the former Chief Minister, arguing that the crisis was the result of complex ethnic and insurgent dynamics beyond the control of any single administration.
Still, Dr. Bimol’s pointed use of names and specific references has reignited public discussion on accountability — especially regarding the missing youth cases and the ongoing displacement of civilians.
“Manipur Needs Healing, Not Forgetfulness”
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Bimol said, “We cannot move forward by forgetting the truth. The first step to healing is acknowledgment — and those in power must own up to their failures before the people can begin to rebuild trust.”
His statement has since sparked wide debate across political and social circles, with many echoing the call for truth, justice, and long-term reconciliation.