New Delhi: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the ongoing crisis in Manipur is not a recent issue but a long-standing one which dates back seven decades. Speaking at the TV9 Network’s What India Thinks Today Global Summit 2025, Sarma added that the turmoil in the northeastern state has its roots in the 1960s and that tensions have periodically escalated over the years.
Addressing concerns over the continuing unrest in Manipur, Sarma criticised the Congress for allegedly failing to address the problem during its tenure. He emphasised that the current crisis is not merely a two-year-old phenomenon, as some claim, but a deeply entrenched issue that has persisted for decades.
“Manipur has been facing instability since the 1960s. The situation occasionally flares up, but it has always been a complex matter. The region is home to three major tribal communities, and tensions among them have contributed to the prolonged conflict,” said Sarma.
He added that PM Modi-led Union government is working towards a permanent resolution to the crisis.
Congress responsible for Manipur crisis
Sarma accused the Congress of initiating the problems in Manipur, saying that the party’s handling of the situation in the past further added fuel to the fire. “Congress claims that the violence in Manipur is a recent occurrence, but the truth is that the issue dates back 75 years. This problem began under the Congress rule, and we are now striving to resolve it,” he said.
While acknowledging that drug trafficking is a major issue in Manipur, Sarma pointed out that it is not the sole reason for the ongoing violence. He highlighted that different tribal groups, including the Meitei and Kuki communities, have their own separate demands, which have fuelled the unrest from time to time.
“The crisis in Manipur is far more complex than just the drug trade. Multiple tribal groups have conflicting demands, leading to tensions and confrontations,” he explained.
BJP’s commitment to stability
Sarma reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in Manipur. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is making concerted efforts to bring a lasting solution to the decades-old problem.
Freedom to vote: CM Sarma
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that citizens are free to vote for whomever they prefer. He highlighted that despite Assam having over 40% Muslim population, the BJP secured 11 out of 14 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, marking a significant victory. “I do not want to create confusion; my job is to shut down madrasas and make people doctors and engineers. Vote for whoever you want,” he said.
Congress MP’s alleged Pakistan connection
Responding to allegations regarding Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife having ties to Pakistan, Sarma stated that if any such connection exists, it should be brought to light. He labelled Pakistan as India’s enemy and dismissed Congress’s response as ‘nervousness.’ He also claimed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case possesses substantial information.
Indigenous dominance in Assam
Sarma emphasised that since the BJP’s rise to power in Assam in 2016 and at the Centre in 2014, indigenous or ‘khilonjiya’ people have regained dominance in the state. He claimed that the government has reclaimed land, political spaces, and government jobs for the indigenous population.
‘Hindu identity is India’s identity’
Sarma stated that India exists because of Hindus, citing Pakistan as an example where, according to him, the Hindu population has disappeared. He expressed pride in identifying as a Hindu and remarked that the presence of Hindus ensures the existence of Muslims and Christians in the country.
‘Badruddin Ajmal is illegal immigrant’
The Assam CM reiterated his claim that AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is an illegal immigrant. “I still maintain that Badruddin Ajmal is an infiltrator. Speak to him for just two minutes, and you will realise it,” he asserted.
