Imphal, Dec 31 (IANS) Manipur Congress on Wednesday asserted that peace and normalcy will return to the state only if the Assembly is dissolved and fresh elections are held.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Keisham Meghachandra Singh said that the long-awaited peace and normalcy would be restored in the state if the 60-member Assembly is dissolved and a fresh mandate is sought from the people.

“After fresh elections, a new government will be able to deal with the situation properly and restore peace, normalcy and harmony among the various communities,” he told the media.

The Congress leader said that while people across the country are celebrating the New Year with joy, cheer and festivities, the people of Manipur are deprived of doing so as the situation in the state remains inconducive.

“The Congress has been demanding dissolution of the Assembly and a fresh mandate from the people. This is the only way to bring peace and normalcy to the state,” said Singh, who is also a Congress MLA.

He said that the present dispensation has utterly failed to resolve the ongoing ethnic crisis and address the hopes, aspirations and grievances of the people.

The Congress leader also expressed hope that the New Year 2026 would bring peace, harmony, clarity and justice to Manipur if the government takes pro-people decisions and steps.

Meanwhile, BJP legislator Tongbram Robindro Singh said that after a gap of nearly two years, the state government has organised several festivals and celebrations to improve the morale and confidence of the people.

To revive public life and boost confidence, the state government, after a two-year hiatus, organised major cultural and sporting events, including the Shirui Lily Festival (May 20-24) in Ukhrul district, the 10-day Sangai Tourism Festival (November 21-30), the five-day Sangai Film Festival (November 24-28), the Orange Festival in Tamenglong district, and the 134th edition of the Durand Cup tournament, Asia’s oldest football tournament, held from July 30.

“As we have successfully organised these festivals, I urge people from all communities to forgive and forget differences and misunderstandings and help restore peace, normalcy and cordial relations in the New Year,” said Robindro Singh, who was elected to the Assembly from the Thanga constituency in the Meitei community-dominated Bishnupur district.

Following prolonged ethnic violence, President’s Rule was promulgated in Manipur on February 13, 2025, four days after the resignation of N. Biren Singh from the Chief Minister’s post.

The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which was put under suspended animation after the imposition of President’s Rule, has a tenure until 2027.

–IANS

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