INTERVIEW | Why should I resign, whatever I did was to protect Manipur: CM Biren Singh on ethnic violence

Singh said a Manipur High Court decision in March 2023 recommending scheduled tribe (ST) status to Meiteis further fuelled anger among Kukis who felt their rights were being diluted, although the court order was not implemented by Singh’s government. But by then agitations by Kuki student groups had begun, and soon it turned into all-out violence.

The High Court itself withdrew the paragraph on ST status from its order in February this year.

The conflict has also extracted a political cost on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been criticised by the opposition and his critics for not visiting Manipur to help soothe the people.

“PM coming or not coming has been made an issue by people. The PM may not have come but he has sent his home minister. And PM has so often spoken about Manipur, even from Lal Quila on Independence Day and whatever is being done here in terms of security, funding, etc. is under his leadership only. In a complex situation, a PM coming was not necessary,” Singh said.

He also made it clear that he will not tolerate pro-Meitei militant outfits, such as Arambai Tengoll, which has openly advocated violence against Kukis.

“I told them you will not do any anti-national or communal act. You have to support the government. There should be no communal word from you. I gave a clear warning; ‘you will not say anything.’ Not one word has come from their mouth in 5 months. I will not let them be extremist and anti-national,” he said.

Blamed by Kukis for fanning violence against them, Singh described Arambai Tengol as a cultural outfit that was forced to take up arms to protect the Meiteis when violence first erupted due to the initial absence of central and state police forces to deal.

He also rejected the demand of Kukis for a separate administration.

“Manipur is a small, hard-working state. Our forefathers have a history of 2000 years. Many sacrifices were made to make this state. This state can’t be broken or have a separate administration. We will not allow this,” he said.

However, one can look at what can be done through the autonomous councils with focus on development, he said.

He added that it is very important to develop hill areas for which he will request the central government to give a special package.

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