Mumbai: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday responded sharply to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur following the violence that erupted in May 2023. Singh attributed the ongoing turmoil in the state to what he called the “past sins” of the Congress and accused the party of politicizing the crisis.
Singh stated that the roots of Manipur’s current unrest lie in Congress’s past decisions, including the settlement of Burmese refugees in the state and the signing of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Myanmar-based militants during P. Chidambaram’s tenure as Union Home Minister. “Everyone, including yourself, is aware that Manipur is in turmoil today because of the past sins committed by the Congress,” he said. Singh also highlighted that between 1992 and 1997, approximately 1,300 people died and thousands were displaced due to violence in the state, pointing out that these events occurred during Congress’s rule under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.
The Chief Minister also defended his recent public apology, describing it as a heartfelt expression of grief for those displaced and rendered homeless by the violence. “The apology I extended today was a sincere act of expressing my grief… However, you brought politics into it,” Singh said, directly addressing Ramesh.
Ramesh had earlier questioned PM Modi’s absence in Manipur since the outbreak of violence, accusing the BJP of failing to address the crisis effectively. Singh’s response aligns with the BJP’s narrative of blaming Congress for historical decisions that, according to the party, have exacerbated challenges in the northeastern state.
The exchange underscores the political blame game over Manipur’s turmoil, with both sides leveraging the crisis to target each other. As Manipur continues to grapple with the aftermath of violence, the focus on historical accountability has further complicated efforts to address the state’s pressing issues.
