Manipur BJP spokesperson quits party over ongoing ethnic crisis

Bharatiya Janata Party’s Manipur unit spokesperson Elangbam Johnson resigned from the party on Friday (May 8, 2026) due to the party leadership’s alleged failure to resolve the ongoing ethnic crisis in the State.

Mr. Johnson, who unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Assembly election from Keishamthong constituency, told journalists in Manipur’s capital, Imphal, that he consulted his supporters before deciding to quit the party. He said the BJP was unable to convince people since May 2023 that it could usher in peace.

The conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities broke out on May 3, 2023, claiming more than 260 lives and displacing some 62,000 others over the past three years.

Mr. Johnson criticised the BJP’s Manipur unit for its “inability to take decisions independently on matters concerning the State” and act decisively on them. He alleged that the State unit lacked the power to make decisions even on disciplinary matters.

He was associated with the United Committee Manipur, a civil society organisation, before joining politics.

Attacks condemned

Several political parties in Manipur and social organisations have condemned the May 7 attacks on Tangkhul Naga villages along the India-Myanmar border, allegedly by members of the militant group Kuki National Army-Burma.

Congress and the National People’s Party (NPP) alleged that Kuki extremists were involved in the attacks in the State’s Kamjong district and urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the civilians.

The United Naga Council, the apex body of all Naga tribes in Manipur, also condemned the cross-border attacks and slammed the “inaction” of Central security forces deployed along the international border with Myanmar.

‘Troops responded immediately’

Reacting to the allegations, the paramilitary Assam Rifles said that its troops responded immediately after heavy firing and explosions were reported near Z. Choro close to the international border. It said the troops, despite the volatile situation, moved into the affected area to safeguard the civilians.

“During the operation, multiple rescue teams were deployed without delay. Ten houses affected by the violence were secured, and civilians evacuated. Fifteen distressed villagers, including women and children, were safely rescued and provided humanitarian assistance at the Assam Rifles camp at Aloyo,” a Defence Ministry statement said on Friday.

The statement further said that the Assam Rifles conducted rapid area sanitisation operations to prevent further escalation and restore stability. An armed suspected NSCN(IM) member was apprehended along with an AK-47 rifle, magazine, and ammunition during search operations and later handed over to local police authorities, it added.

“Even as tensions remained high, Assam Rifles… continued domination patrols across other sensitive areas of Kamjong district to ensure peace and security for residents,” the statement read, asserting the Assam Rifles’ commitment to protecting Indian citizens and maintaining peace along the India-Myanmar border.