Even though peace is still a far cry in Manipur, amidst the lull of the violent conflict between Kuki-Zomi militants and Meiteis, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren once again has promised to restore peace in the State. This time CM Biren has promised to fully restore peace in Manipur in six months with the help of the Centre. He has also ruled out stepping down from his position, saying he has neither committed a crime nor spawned a scandal.
According to reports of an interview with PTI Videos here on August 29 and widely published in many national media, Chief Minsiter Nongthombam Biren has revealed for the first time that he has appointed an emissary to hold talks with Kuki-Zomi militants and Meitei leaders.
CM Biren identified the emissary as Dinganglung Gangmei, a Naga MLA and the chairman of the Hill Area Committee. “All this can be solved with dialogue. Dialogue is the only way,” CM said.
When asked what kind of a deadline he has fixed for himself to restore peace, Chief Minister Biren indicated that along with dialogue, the Central Government’s involvement – either through the Home Ministry or other agencies – will be critical in bringing peace, according to the reports of the interview.
Further, reports of the interview quoted Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren who is a Meitei and remains largely mistrusted by the Kukis as saying, “I don’t think it will stretch long. Within 5-6 months peace should return. It is our hope and I am also confident.”
While the Meitei-dominated Imphal appears fully normal, with streets buzzing with traffic and shops doing brisk business, the hills surrounding the capital’s flat valley terrain remains out of bounds for all except its Kuki inhabitants, reports of the interview said.
The State Government is fully committed to restore peace in the state in six months with the help the Central Government or its agencies. Nongthombam Biren, whose move to resign was dramatically foiled by his supporters who snatched and tore his resignation letter in full public view during the peak of the unrest last year, said he has no intention of quitting now.
“Why should I resign? Have I stolen anything? Is there a scandal against me? Have I worked against the nation or state? I have saved the state from illegal migration, illegal poppy cultivation. My job is to protect Manipur and people of Manipur. There is no question (of resigning),” he said.
Moreover, Chief Minister Biren also rejected the demand of Kuki-Zomis for a Separate Administration.
“Manipur is a small state, hardworking 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, CM Biren 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.
Notably, while the genesis of ongoing violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi militants and Meiteis that erupted on May 3, 2023 in Churachandpur and its adjoining areas of Bishnupur district only shrouded the situation in ambiguity, with divergent narratives including socio-political intricacies, immigration, poppy plantation and geo-politics, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, emphasized the origins of the violent conflict between Kuki-Zomi militants and Meiteis.
The violent conflict has witnessed close to 230 deaths and 32 persons are reported still missing while 1,108 persons were wounded. More than 60,000 people are now languishing in relief camps across the state and at their relative’s homes. At least 5,172 houses were burned down and destroyed. At least 386 religous structures including 254 churches and 132 temples were destroyed.
Focusing on the genesis of the violent conflict, the Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren said the conflict goes back to his first term as Chief Minister from 2017 to 2022, when he cracked down on the illegal drug trade and migration from neighboring Myanmar, whose border is only about 100 kilometers from Imphal.
CM Biren implied that those hit by his crackdown conspired to destabilise his government and the State by fomenting Kuki-Meitei clashes. It is pertinent to note that while Kuki-Zomis are mostly hill-dwelling Christian tribes, Meiteis are mostly Hindus living in Manipur’s Central Valley. Kuki tribes are also found in Myanmar.
During the interview with the media agency, CM Biren also emphasized the issue of illegal migration that has affected the State. To illustrate the simmering situation, he presented satellite images to show that areas largely uninhabited in 2001 were teeming with population 15 years later. He said the pictures were evidence of illegal settlements, which were changing the demographics of the State.
Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren said a Manipur High Court decision in March 2023 directing Manipur Government to send the recommendation for 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 his government.
“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,” he added.
The conflict has also extracted a political cost on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has been criticized by the opposition and his critics for not visiting Manipur to help soothe the people.
Defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi CM Biren said, “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.”
Furthermore, CM Biren repeatedly emphasized that he does not want to identify himself as a Meitei when he is sitting in the official chair. “I am a CM for all.”
Biren also made it clear that he will not tolerate pro-Meitei militant outfits, such as Arambai Tengoll, which have 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.” he said.
“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 or anti-national,” CM Biren added.
Blamed by Kukis for fanning violence against them, Chief Minister Biren described Arambai Tengol as a cultural outfit which was forced to take up arms to protect the Meiteis when violence first erupted due to initial absence of Central and State police forces to deal.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
