Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday to discuss the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the violence erupted in the state more than 14 months ago. The meeting was also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Context and Previous Engagements
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has been in Delhi for the past two days, participating in group meetings with the Prime Minister, including the NITI Aayog meeting and a gathering of Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states.
The prolonged silence from the Prime Minister on the Manipur issue has been a point of contention, with both the people of Manipur and Opposition parties questioning his lack of public comments. This silence was particularly noted given the Congress party’s victory in both Lok Sabha seats from the state in the recent general elections.
Supreme Court and Governor’s Engagement
Adding a significant judicial milestone, newly appointed Supreme Court judge Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, who hails from Manipur, met Governor Anusuiya Uikey at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. Justice Singh’s appointment marks the first time a Supreme Court judge has come from Manipur. The Governor congratulated him, highlighting the importance of his role for the state and encouraging him to continue his efforts to support and uplift the people of Manipur.
Ethnic Violence in Manipur
Since May 3, 2023, at least 221 people have lost their lives and over 60,000 have been internally displaced due to ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. In a statement to the Rajya Sabha on July 6, Prime Minister Modi remarked that efforts were ongoing to restore peace, noting that the social tensions in the state have deep historical roots.
Political Reactions
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh publicly questioned whether Chief Minister Biren Singh had a separate one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister. He also queried whether an invitation was extended to the Prime Minister to visit Manipur, suggesting it could be done either before or after his planned trip to Ukraine.
Moving Forward
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Biren Singh represents a critical step in addressing the ongoing violence and seeking solutions to the deep-seated social tensions in Manipur. The involvement of key Union ministers underscores the central government’s commitment to resolving the crisis and bringing stability to the region.
