Manipur CM promises complete peace in 6 months
In an interview with PTI Video here on Thursday, Singh revealed for the first time that he has appointed an emissary to hold talks with the Kuki-Zo and Meitei leaders. With ethnic violence gradually subsiding, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has promised to completely restore peace in the state in six months with the help of the Centre, and also ruled out stepping down, saying he has neither committed any crime nor given rise to any scandal.
In an interview with PTI Video here on Thursday, N Biren Singh revealed for the first time that he has appointed an emissary to hold talks with the Kuki-Zo and Meitei leaders. According to official count, 226 people have been killed in clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei ethnic groups since May 2023.
Singh said dialogue is the only way
All this can be resolved through dialogue. Singh said dialogue is the only way. He identified the emissary as Naga MLA and Hill Area Committee chairman Dinglang Gangmei. Asked what kind of timeline he has set for himself to restore peace, Singh indicated that along with dialogue, the involvement of the central government through the Home Ministry or other agencies would be crucial in bringing peace.
I don’t think it will last long. Peace should return within 5-6 months. This is our hope and I believe too, said Singh, who is a Meitei and is largely distrusted by the Kuki people. During the interview he repeatedly emphasised that while he is sitting on the official chair he does not want to identify himself as a Meitei. I am the chief minister of all.
Traffic hustle and bustle on roads
While Meitei-dominated Imphal appears perfectly normal, with roads bustling with traffic and shops doing brisk business, the hills surrounding the flat valley area of the capital are off-limits to anyone except the Kuki residents.
Singh said the conflict began during his first tenure as chief minister in 2017-2022, when he cracked down on illegal drug trade and migration from neighbouring Myanmar, whose border is only 100 km from Imphal.
Affected people instigating Kuki-Meitei clashes
He indicated that people affected by his repression conspired to destabilise his government and the state by instigating Kuki-Meitei clashes. The Kukis are mostly Christian tribes living in the hilly areas, while the Meitei are Hindus living in the plains and valleys. Kuki tribes are also found in Myanmar.
During the interview held at his office, Singh showed satellite images to point out that areas that were largely uninhabited in 2001 were filled with population 15 years later. He said the photographs were evidence of illegal settlements, which were changing the demography of the state.
Meitei people to be given Scheduled Caste status in a Manipur High Court verdict
Singh said a Manipur High Court verdict in March 2023 recommended granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei people, further fuelling anger among the Kuki people who felt their rights were being curtailed, though Singh’s government did not implement the court order.
But by then agitation by Kuki student groups had begun, and soon it spiralled into full-blown violence. The high court itself withdrew the ST status paragraph from its order in February this year. The conflict has also imposed a political cost on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been criticised by the opposition and his critics for not visiting Manipur to help pacify the people.
PM’s visit or non-visit made an issue by people
PM’s visit or non-visit has been made an issue by the people. The PM may not have come, but he has sent his home minister. And the PM has spoken about Manipur very many times from the Red Fort on Independence Day too and whatever is being done in terms of security, funding etc is being done under his leadership. Singh said it was not necessary for the PM to come in a complex situation.
Violence against them by Kukis
Not a single word came out of their mouth in 5 months. I will not let them become militants, anti-nationals, he said. On being blamed for inciting violence against them by Kukis, Singh described Arambai Tengole as a cultural organisation which was forced to take up arms to protect the Meiteis when violence broke out, as initially the central and state police forces were not present to deal with it.
Kuki demand also rejected
Why should I resign? Have I stolen anything? Is there any scam against me? Have I worked against the nation or the state? I have protected the state from illegal migration, illegal opium cultivation. My job is to protect Manipur and the people of Manipur. There is no question (of resigning), he said.
Conclusion
Manipur is a small state, a hardworking state. Our ancestors have a history of 2000 years. Many sacrifices were made to create this state. This state cannot be broken up or a separate administration created.
However, one can see what can be done through autonomous councils focusing on development, he said. He said it is very important to develop the hill areas for which he would like to request the Centre.
