Imphal: The ethnic violence that started on May 3 in Manipur is certainly going to test the resolve of N Biren Singh who so far has been sailing smoothly—it seems the principal opposition party Congress is going to mount pressure on the establishment and has decided to form a fact finding committee that will assess the ground situation in Manipur.

This has been stated by the Congress leadership. “The fact finding team will have three members. They will visit violence-hit Manipur and try to take note of the ground realities since in times of conflict truth becomes the first casualty. The fact finding team will maintain its contact with the high command in Delhi as well as with the state leadership,” said a Congress leader who didn’t wish to be named.

The fact finding team will have Mukul Wasnik, former MP Dr Ajoy Kumar and Tripura MLA Sudip Roy Barman. It will submit the report to national Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at the earliest.

“Congress is really concerned about the tense situation in Manipur. The state government is hiding many facts from the common people. Congress is not trying to do politics over this issue. Being a responsible opposition party Congress wants to contribute its part to the state,” a Congress functionary said.