CM Biren Singh Responds to Ramesh’s Criticism, Defends Modi’s Absence from Manipur

New Delhi, 1st January 2025: In response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s criticism regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from violence-stricken Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has questioned why former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao did not visit the state during the 1992-93 unrest.

On the final day of 2024, Chief Minister Singh addressed the media, acknowledging the hardship faced by Manipur throughout the year and expressing hope for peace in the upcoming year.

“This year has been incredibly unfortunate. I apologize to the people of Manipur for the events that have unfolded since May 3rd. Many lives have been lost, and countless families have been displaced. I deeply regret this and offer my sincerest apologies. However, after seeing the recent progress towards peace, I believe by 2025, the state will return to normalcy,” he stated.

“I urge all communities in Manipur to forgive and forget the past, and work towards a peaceful and prosperous future for the state,” the Chief Minister added.

Ramesh, in response, criticized the government’s neglect of Manipur. “Why hasn’t the Prime Minister visited Manipur? He has deliberately avoided the state since May 4th, 2023, while travelling across the country and abroad. The people of Manipur cannot understand this indifference,” the Congress leader wrote on X.

In his reply, Chief Minister Singh pointed to Congress as being responsible for the situation in Manipur. “Manipur’s current turmoil is a result of past mistakes made by Congress, such as the settlement of Burmese refugees and the signing of the SoO Agreement with Myanmar-based militants, led by P. Chidambaram during his tenure as Home Minister,” he stated.

Singh, who had previously been a member of Congress, switched to the BJP following differences with then-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

The Chief Minister clarified that his apology was a genuine expression of sorrow for those displaced and affected by the conflict. “As Chief Minister, I appealed for forgiveness and healing. However, you have politicized this matter,” he remarked.

He also highlighted the severity of the Naga-Kuki clashes in the 1990s, which led to the deaths of around 1,300 people and the displacement of thousands. “The violence between the Naga and Kuki communities persisted from 1992 to 1997, with the most intense conflict occurring in 1992-93. Did PV Narasimha Rao, the Prime Minister at the time, visit Manipur to apologize? And when the Kuki-Paite clashes claimed 350 lives in 1997-98 under Prime Minister IK Gujral, did he visit and offer apologies?” he asked. “Instead of addressing Manipur’s core issues, why does Congress continually engage in politics over the matter?”

Since May 2023, the unrest in Manipur has resulted in more than 180 deaths, triggered by the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and the Kuki community’s opposition to this move.