Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday criticized the Congress party, attributing the ongoing turmoil in the northeastern state to the party's historical missteps, including the repeated settlement of Burmese refugees. Singh also raised questions about whether former Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and I.K. Gujral ever visited Manipur to apologise for past conflicts during their tenure.
His remarks came after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence in Manipur amid the state’s ongoing ethnic tensions. Ramesh, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), asked why the Prime Minister hadn’t visited Manipur to apologise for the unrest, stating, “He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world. The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect.”
Biren Singh's Apology and Response to Congress
Earlier that day, during a press conference, Singh expressed regret over the current situation, saying, “I want to say sorry for what happened in the state. Many people lost their loved ones, and many had to leave their homes. I regret and want to apologise.”
Responding to Ramesh's criticism, Singh argued that the Congress’s policies were responsible for the current unrest. He pointed to decisions such as the settlement of Burmese refugees and the signing of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Myanmar-based militants under then Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s tenure. Singh said, “Manipur is in turmoil today because of the past sins committed by the Congress… My apology today was a sincere expression of grief for the displaced people. However, you have chosen to politicise this matter instead of focusing on solutions.”
Historical Context of Ethnic Clashes
Singh further elaborated on the historical conflicts in the region, citing the Naga-Kuki clashes between 1992 and 1997, during which approximately 1,300 people were killed, and thousands were displaced. He also referenced the Kuki-Paite clashes in 1997–1998 that claimed 350 lives. Highlighting the Congress's role, Singh asked, “Did Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao visit Manipur to apologise during the Kuki-Paite clashes? Did Prime Minister I.K. Gujral do so during his tenure? Instead of addressing the root causes of these conflicts, the Congress has repeatedly engaged in political blame games.”
The Current Crisis
Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic tensions since May 3, 2023, with clashes between the Meitei community, the majority in the Imphal Valley, and the tribal Kuki community, dominant in the hill districts. Singh’s comments underline the deep historical and political complexities that continue to influence the state's current challenges.
As Manipur grapples with these issues, the discourse between political leaders reflects the broader debate over accountability and reconciliation in addressing long-standing regional conflicts.
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