Manipur CM blames Congress's "past sins" for current crisis, cites refugee settlements and SoO pact

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has laid the blame for the ongoing crisis in the state squarely on the Congress, accusing the party of contributing to the turmoil through past decisions. In a direct attack on Congress, Singh highlighted the settlement of Burmese refugees in Manipur and the signing of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Myanmar-based militants, actions he claims have led to lasting ethnic divisions in the region. Singh referenced former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's role in the SoO agreement during his tenure, saying these were among the "sins" that have shaped the current conflict.

Singh's comments come in response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur or apologizing for the violence that has ravaged the state since May 2023. In his tweet, Singh reiterated that his apology earlier in the day was a genuine expression of grief for the displaced and homeless people in Manipur, not a political statement. "The apology I extended today was a sincere act of expressing my grief for the people who have been left displaced," Singh said, urging for forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Chief Minister also drew attention to the violent history of the region, citing the Naga-Kuki clashes of the 1990s, which led to the deaths of approximately 1,300 people and the displacement of thousands. These clashes, which spanned from 1992 to 1997, marked one of the bloodiest periods of ethnic violence in northeast India. Singh questioned whether former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and IK Gujral had visited the state or apologized for the earlier violence, emphasizing that Congress had failed to address these historical wounds.

"Did Shri PV Narasimha Rao, who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996 and was the President of the Indian National Congress during this time, come to Manipur to extend an apology?" Singh asked, pointing out that the Congress had not taken responsibility for the suffering caused during the Kuki-Paite clashes in the late 1990s, which claimed 350 lives. Singh further criticized Congress for politicizing the current crisis instead of focusing on resolving the underlying issues.

Singh's remarks underscore the ongoing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, which have flared since May 2023 after protests over the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. With violence continuing, Singh's government is under pressure to restore peace, though he remains firm in his call for unity and an end to political manipulation of the issue. As the unrest continues, Singh hopes for a peaceful resolution in 2025, urging all communities to forget past grievances and work together toward rebuilding the state.

Everyone, including yourself, is aware that Manipur is in turmoil today because of the past sins committed by the Congress, such as the repeated settlement of Burmese refugees in Manipur and the signing of the SoO Agreement with Myanmar-based militants in the state, spearheaded… https://t.co/A0X9urZ7M6

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 31, 2024