Finally, the Chief Minister of violence-hit Manipur, Biren Singh, has apologized to the people of Manipur which was long due. But the reason of this apology by the CM particularly at this time of the year is beyond understanding. What had led to his sudden apology after so many months of the incidences.
If there was another government in Manipur, would CM Biren Singh fall short of asking for resignation? Would a simple apology after so many months would have been enough? As he could not control the violence in his state, the centre was repeatedly defamed internationally, bringing a disrepute to the Modi Government which the centre would have never wanted.
“In Manipur, where the modesty of women was looted, the state witnessed naked parades of women on the streets, killing of common people is still going on. In such a situation, Biren Singh’s apology is no less than a farce. But since BJP is ruling there, it was assumed that Biren Singh’s rule is a citizen friendly government, a picture which changed drastically in the last couple of years.”
Power-hungry Biren Singh, can now, without much ado, will be recognized as one of the most controversial governments among the BJP ruled states in the country.
As a result, the Congress cornered the Centre on Manipur since the violence begun. Post apology, the opposition says, after the apology of Chief Minister Biren Singh, why didn’t Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit the state even once and tendered apology to the people of Manipur? Congress Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh also claimed that PM Modi is traveling around the world, but avoids going to Manipur.
“Reposting Biren Singh’s statement video, Jairam Ramesh said on ‘X’, “Why can’t the Prime Minister go to Manipur and tender apology there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4, 2023, but traveling across the globe. Ramesh said, “The people of Manipur are not able to understand this neglect by the Prime Minister.” Well, Congress may have its own politics.
“When India looks down the history, many tragic incidents have taken place under Congress governments across the states, today, since Congress plays as a weak opposition, they need to be extra cautious on commenting on such issues as that may become a misadventure for the party itself.”
Why Biren Singh suddenly apologized and at whose behest? There seems to be a few finer points in the apology. Biren Singh, in his apology, said: “The whole year has been very unfortunate. I am very sad about this. I apologize to the people of the state for whatever is happening from May 3, 2023 till today, many have lost their loved ones. Many people have fled away from their homes. I am really sorry. I want to apologize.”
In Manipur, the Kuki-Meitei community violence is on since May 3, 2023. More than 600 days have passed since the violence broke out. Biren said: “408 incidents of firing were recorded in Manipur from May 2023 to October 2023. There were 345 incidents from November 2023 to April 2024. 112 incidents have been reported since May 2024.”
“However, there is peace in the state since last month. There has been no incident of violence. People did not take to the streets even for sporadic demonstrations. The state is witnessing peace for the last one month now.”
Interestingly, the figures given by CM Biren Singh during the press meet is also far from truth. What it seems is that the CM has lost the plot as well as the reputation he enjoyed as a popular chief minister among the masses. People were raped, killed, burnt while the chief minister preferred to keep mum till a few days back.
Biren Singh could have had a direct conversation with the women and children who have been forced to live in the refugee camps through the press which he didn’t. he didn’t address the issues of the people in refugee camps at all.
Biren Singh said: “So far, a total of about 200 people have been killed and about 12,247 FIRs have been registered. 625 accused have been arrested. About 5,600 weapons and about 35,000 ammunition including explosives have been recovered. There has also been success in dealing with the issues. The central government has provided adequate security personnel and funds to help the displaced families. Money has also been given to build new houses for the displaced.”
“The CM said that like Kashmir, it is the effect of Operation Clean going on in the state since last month. Not only large consignment of arms and ammunition have been seized, but more than 20 cadres of militant organizations have also been arrested. A senior army officer said that our focus is on neutralizing in the insurgency-hit buffer areas. These also include those areas where no one has dared to go in the last one and a half years. At the same time, around 40 thousand soldiers are deployed in 288 companies of Central Armed Forces in the entire state.“
Due to the political interference in Manipur, the army had a little role to play. But as AFSPA was in force in 5 police stations of Imphal Valley, the army became strict and the people voluntarily deposited illicit arms and ammunitions which were with them. This was only out of fear of being neutralized by the Indian Army and not due to the ‘activeness’ of the government. Amidst the ongoing violence in Manipur, more than 1500 people have been injured, 60 thousand people are homeless. Thousands of citizens are compelled to stay in the relief camps leaving their homes. 11 thousand FIRs have been registered and 500 people have been arrested till date.
Why CM Biren Singh apologized after two years? Is it due to the disrepute of the central government or there is an unrest within the party lines with top leaders annoyed with the incumbent chief minister. The reasons can only be answered once Biren Singh steps down. Sources claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Biren Singh several times and the apology is only to save the government from punitive action from the center. Which might have included the forced resignation of Biren Singh.
