New Delhi: After senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited strife-torn Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh reacted sharply, and asked: Why former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao did not visit the Northeastern state when it was witnessing an unrest in 1992-93.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Singh had sought public apology and said it had been an unfortunate year for Manipur, while hoping for peace and normalcy in 2025.
He said, “This entire year has been very unfortunate. I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what’s happening till today since last May 3. Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I feel regret. I apologise. But now, I hope after seeing the last three to four months progress towards the peace, I believe by 2025, the normalcy will be restored in the state.”
The CM added: “I want to appeal to all the communities in the state, whatever happened has happened. You have to forgive and forget the past mistakes and we have to start a new life (towards) a peaceful and prosperous Manipur.”
Responding to his statement, Jairam Ramesh asked in a X post: “Why can’t the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the same thing there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4th, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world. The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect.”
‘You brought politics into it’
Replying to Jairam’s post, Chief Minister Singh held Congress responsible for the current situation in Manipur. Hev said, “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 by @PChidambaram_IN during his tenure as the Home Minister of India.”
Singh pointed out that his apology was a “sincere act of expressing my grief for the people who have been left displaced and become homeless”. “As a Chief Minister, it was an appeal to forgive and forget what had happened. However, you brought politics into it.”
He added: “Let me remind you: The Naga-Kuki clashes in Manipur resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,300 people and the displacement of thousands more. The violence persisted for several years, with periodic escalations occurring between 1992 and 1997, though the most intense period of conflict was in 1992-1993.
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
“The clashes began in 1992 and continued at varying intensities for around five years (1992-1997). This period marked one of the bloodiest ethnic conflicts in northeast India, deeply affecting relations between the Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur. 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?,” the Chief Minister questioned.
He continued: “The Kuki-Paite clashes claimed 350 lives in the state. During most of the Kuki-Paite clashes (1997-1998), Shri IK Gujral was the Prime Minister of India. Did he visit Manipur and say sorry to the people?”. The CM asked: “Instead of putting efforts to solve the core issues in Manipur, why is the @INCIndia playing politics over it all the time?”
