CM meets the Opposition, Ibobi asks who has the moral authority: Manipur's killings force a sit-down

Imphal: After three civilians — firewood collectors — were killed by suspected militants at Khongban Sunurok in Kangpokpi district on Monday, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc on Tuesday and reviewed the law-and-order situation.
The meeting at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Babupara was attended by Congress Legislature Party leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh, Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, MLA Okram Surjakumar and leaders of other opposition parties.
The delegation urged the Chief Minister to convene an all-party meeting. Singh said the meeting reviewed the security situation following the 'tragic killing of three innocent civilians' and that the concerns raised by political representatives would be looked into.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Ibobi Singh questioned the BJP-led government's moral authority to remain in office amid recurring violence and civilian killings, alleging that the law-and-order machinery had completely failed.
CLP leader Meghachandra Singh said the INDIA bloc delegation also raised serious concerns over the role of the Assam Rifles in Manipur. The delegation included representatives of the CPI(M), CPI, RSP, All India Forward Bloc, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena, NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT). A 48-hour strike is under way across five valley districts.
In a social media post, the Chief Minister said the meeting reviewed the security situation following the 'tragic killing of three innocent civilians by armed miscreants' and that constructive discussions were held on maintaining peace. The three firewood collectors were killed at Khongban Sunurok in Kangpokpi district, near Nongshum in Imphal East district, on Monday, and several others were reported injured.