The 20th local conference of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) was held on Wednesday in Jiribam, with key party leaders Moirangthem Gopal, Ajiz Haider, and Thoibi Devi presiding over the event.
The conference opened with a two-minute silence to honour the lives lost in the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that began in May 2023.
CPI-M Manipur State Committee secretary Kshetrimayum Shanta delivered a sharp critique of the ruling BJP government under Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
Shanta accused the government of failing to address the root causes of the violence and claimed that divisive policies had worsened the situation. He also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inaction during the crisis in Manipur.
The conference also addressed local issues, including the need for better infrastructure in Jiribam, such as improved roads and transportation. Attendees highlighted the importance of boosting educational opportunities, particularly vocational training at Jiribam College, and called for increased access to clean drinking water and job opportunities for the youth.