The recent 694-page report by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Kurian Joseph, has only deepened the pain. It calls the violence “planned, ethnically targeted, and facilitated by state failures,” demanding action against hate speech and negligent authorities. But to many of us, especially in the Meitei community, it feels like a one-sided jab that stokes division rather than healing. Manipur needs its leaders to come together, rise above petty politics and social media noise, and deliver the justice we’ve been crying for. And in my view, no one carries more hope for this than our Lok Sabha MP, Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.
The PUCL report has stirred a storm, and rightfully so. Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, our titular king, didn’t mince words, calling it “one-sided, biased, and ungrounded.” He’s demanded a legal probe, arguing it misrepresents groups like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun as militant when they were forced to take up arms for self-defense due to security forces’ delays. Senior advocate Khaidem Mani echoed this, slamming the report for ignoring key incidents like the killings in Jiribam and violations of the Suspension of Operations agreement. I agree—the report’s selective narrative feels like it was written with an agenda, and that hurts its credibility. It’s not enough to point fingers at “state failures”; we need a fair account that doesn’t vilify one community while ignoring others’ suffering.
But it’s Dr. Bimol Akoijam’s response that’s got me both hopeful and worried. His response has been a mixed bag. His recent social media exchange, where he dismissed a user’s critique while urging BJP leaders and intellectuals to counter the PUCL report, struck a discordant note. As Manipur’s voice in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Bimol carries immense responsibility. His tweet, reaffirming his commitment to raising grievances, is commendable, but its defensive tone risks alienating those who see him as a beacon of hope. His call for “right-wing intellectuals and politicians” to fund objective research to challenge the report is a step forward, yet it must be delivered with the restraint and inclusivity expected of a leader.
His words cut through: “That would be far more beneficial to the people of the State than funding and grooming trolls and goons.” This statement rings true, especially given the intense pressure he faced during his 2024 election campaign, which shows how trolls and goons have hindered Manipur’s fight for truth.
Dr. Bimol’s campaign for the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat was marred by intimidation, a stark example of the “trolls and goons” he condemns.
As our voice in the Lok Sabha, he’s got to be bigger than that. His tweet, reaffirming his fight for justice, shows his heart’s in the right place, but the tone? It risks pushing away folks who look to him as Manipur’s champion. Still, his deeper point about the report hits home hard. He calls for reflexivity—looking at how biases, ideologies, and backgrounds shape narratives like the PUCL’s. He’s right: facts aren’t just facts. The way they’re framed, the words chosen, the incidents left out—they create a version of reality that can hurt as much as it helps. Dr. Bimol argues this isn’t just ethnic violence but “manufactured communal” conflict, and those seeking truth must challenge the state’s sneaky maneuvers that treat us like pawns in their geo-political games. Manipur has been bleeding for decades under such tactics, and the PUCL report, intentionally or not, adds to that pain by missing this lens. I couldn’t agree more—any report claiming to seek justice needs this kind of clarity and honesty.
Here’s my personal request to Dr. Bimol Akoijam: Sir, you’re our hope. During the 2023 crisis, you were a force—tearing apart Kuki-driven propaganda and shutting down biased anchors on news channels. That’s the Bimol we voted for, the academician-turned-MP who spoke truth to power with razor-sharp clarity. Forget the left or right trolls on social media—they’re just noise. Our people have sky-high expectations of you. We want that fierce, focused Bimol back, the one who can challenge the PUCL’s flaws with hard evidence and make them eat their words. You’ve done it before, taking on fake narratives with facts and conviction. We need you to do it again—lead a charge to expose the report’s biases and demand a fair investigation. Show the PUCL, and the world, that truth can’t be twisted.
The PUCL report can’t just be brushed off, though. Its calls for accountability—on hate speech, on security lapses—are serious, even if its delivery feels slanted. I’m frustrated that the 37 Meitei MLAs who swore unity at Kangla in 2024 seem so quiet now. Where’s their fight? Manipur needs all its leaders—BJP, Congress, everyone—to stop pointing fingers and start working together. Security forces must answer for their delays, as Sanajaoba pointed out. All communities, Meitei, Kuki, and others, need to be heard to rebuild trust. A transparent probe into the PUCL report is a must, but it’s got to be fair, inclusive, and free of the propaganda Dr. Bimol warns against.
Dr. Bimol Akoijam, you call yourself a “common Meitei” seeking justice, and that’s why we believe in you. But leadership isn’t just passion—it’s about uniting us, staying calm under fire, and keeping the focus on truth. Manipur is hurting, and the PUCL report, flaws and all, is a chance to set things right. I’m requesting you: lead with the fire we know you have. Challenge the lies, unite our leaders, and fight for the peace we deserve. Manipur is counting on you.
Naorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
Naorem Mohen
View More PostsNaorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
