Manipur Pradesh Congress President Keisham Meghachandra on Wednesday said peace and normalcy in the conflict-hit state can only be restored by dissolving the assembly and holding fresh elections.
Addressing reporters in Imphal, Meghachandra said, “While everyone else is celebrating the New Year everywhere, in Manipur, we are not seeing these celebrations. The only solution for the welfare of the people of the state is to dissolve the present assembly. Our demand is the dissolution of the assembly and a fresh mandate. It's the only means to bring peace and normalcy in the state.”
The Wangkhem legislator also criticised the current administration, saying, “The ongoing crisis has exposed the failure of the present dispensation to address the aspirations and grievances of the people.” He expressed hope that 2026 would usher in clarity, justice, and a people-driven political change for lasting peace in Manipur.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Tongbram Robindro appealed for reconciliation and community harmony. “We have had several festivals and celebrations, including the Sangai festival, Orange festival, Christmas and Meitei's own Emoinu festival in November and December,” he said. “At such festive time, I appeal to all the people across the communities to forgive and forget all differences and misunderstandings and return to earlier peace, normalcy and cordial relations with the coming of the new year.”
Also read: Healing Manipur’s fractured minds will take time: Bhagwat
Manipur has been under President's rule since February 13, after former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who headed a BJP-led government, resigned on February 9 following ethnic violence that claimed over 260 lives since May 2023. The 60-member state assembly, whose tenure runs until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has taken several measures to restore peace, including asking those who looted arms from security forces to surrender them.
The ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
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