“When a patient is treated for a particular disease, before treatment starts, we need to diagnose the exact disease. After that, we start treatment — providing medicine, etc. Why I am saying that — I am the person who started the identification and collection of biometrics of illegal immigrants (in Manipur). Because I know how many new migrants have entered, how many new villages have been established, and how they are planting poppies, destroying forests, and how they are doing the drug business,” he said.
“I am the lone elected person, maybe, who has taken such actions against illegal migrants, drug smugglers. That’s the reason I will be needing more time,” he added.
In a span of six years (2017-2023), the Manipur government registered a total of 2,351 cases related to seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances, while as many as 2,943 persons were arrested, data from government sources has revealed.
“Whatever the Centre decides — if it’s for the betterment of Manipur, and within the framework of the Constitution, I would happily welcome it. But I would request that the core issues, which we started and have been demanding, be taken into consideration,” the CM said.
The core issues he mentioned were the identification of illegal immigrants in Manipur (base year 1961), the collection of their biometrics and their deportation, the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, fencing the 398-km Indo-Myanmar border in the state, and scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar.
Speculation about Singh’s continuation in office has gathered steam after he was left out of the security review meeting on Manipur that was convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi earlier this month.
The high-level meeting was attended by top officials including Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, and Army Chief-designate Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi.
From Manipur, security adviser Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh and Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi had attended. “Upon their return, they briefed me well… I am satisfied, but I do not want to reveal the discussions now,” Singh told ThePrint.
Terming the ongoing Manipur ethnic conflict a “complex issue”, he said he expects “positive news in two-three months”, especially as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has included the Manipur crisis in his “100 days of governance” action plan.
The CM also said that decisions have to be taken jointly by the central and state governments to find a lasting solution.
“Yes, there are these core issues, but what we immediately need is peace, bridging the gap between the two communities (the Meitei population and the Kuki-Zo tribals) in Manipur. Actually, it was never between the communities, but intentionally, one community has converted it into an ethnic conflict. The central government is trying to invite both the communities to the negotiating table, which is a positive beginning. Whatever happened historically, the solution will be established only after talks,” Biren Singh said.
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‘Arambai Tenggol & UNLF-P not anti-national’
The CM voiced support for the Arambai Tenggol, a radical socio-cultural group of Meitei youth that has been operating like a militia since the ethnic conflict broke out in Manipur last year.
Biren Singh called them “a cultural organisation which got drawn into the unrest”. He said they can be convinced to give up arms if the protection of the state’s territorial integrity is ensured by the Centre and the state government.
“They are the youth of Manipur, not anti-nationals. I have repeatedly clarified — when their villages were attacked by militants armed with AK-47 rifles, they (Arambai Tennggol) were walking around with sticks in hand. There’s still time… we can console them. I am trying to console them saying prevention and protection will be done by the state and central government — ‘tum log abhi shaant raho (you all should maintain calm now)’,” the CM said.
He added that the Arambai Tenggol group is “mainly concerned about the safety of the people of Manipur — not only Meiteis, but the indigenous native people of the state”.
On the other hand, while acknowledging that a ceasefire agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Manipur government and the Kh Pambei faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P) last year, the CM maintained that the insurgent group is “not indulging in any anti-national activities” either.
“With the UNLF, an agreement has already been signed and the camps where they (UNLF cadres) should stay have been constructed. The construction of about half of such structures is nearing completion. During this time, the question is where would they stay — you might have seen some (cadres) on the roads, in schools and somewhere. But they are not indulging in any anti-national activities and anti-social activities — I can say this proudly,” said the CM.
“In their name, some miscreants might be indulging in illegal activities, but now the central government with the paramilitary forces are monitoring closely… most of their (UNLF-P cadres) weapons have been kept under lock and key, and things will be streamlined,” he added.
According to inputs from security sources, the cadre strength of UNLF-P has increased from over 400 at the time of signing the agreement to over 1,500 now.
Further, hinting that the Centre should abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki insurgents, the Manipur CM said: “Suspension of operations for a good reason is good, but if it has been misused, it is not good. For that, the central government will take appropriate action, I believe.”
Kuki rebel groups seeking greater self-determination within Manipur under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution had signed the SoO agreement with the Centre and the state government in August 2008. The pact was aimed at initiating political dialogue with the insurgents, ending hostilities and settling demands made by the Kuki tribals for a separate homeland.
In March last year, the Manipur government announced its withdrawal from the SoO agreement with two Kuki rebel groups, the Kuki National Army and the Zomi Revolutionary Army. The government argued that the leadership of these rebel groups hailed from outside the state.
‘Centre has to decide on Myanmar refugees’
While the Manipur government has initiated the deportation process for Myanmar nationals detained in the state, Biren Singh said the Centre has to take a concrete decision — “whether they will be deported, or sheltered in the state”.
“…But it should be under a proper monitoring system. Otherwise they can sneak anywhere, everywhere, and mix up with the citizens already settled. So, that is the worry — mixing up with the same tribe, same religion, same community,” he added.
Last week, Myanmar nationals lodged in Manipur Central Jail in Imphal had launched a hunger strike demanding their release and the protection of their lives.
‘In touch with central leadership’
The CM said he was in constant communication with the central leadership
“They are monitoring the situation 24×7. Home Minister Amit Shah ji called to enquire about the situation — he asked what’s going on… Kya ho raha hai? Kaise ho raha hai? Kya try kar raha hai? (what is happening, what are you doing and how),” Singh said.
On Thursday, Singh convened a meeting with the ruling party’s legislators to deliberate on the situation in Manipur.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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