Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday expressed deep regret over the ongoing ethnic violence in the state, calling the situation “very unfortunate” and emphasizing that his government should not be blamed for the conflict. He explained that the violence, which erupted on May 3, 2023, was triggered by the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which led to a series of confrontations and attacks, particularly after the Manipur High Court’s order for the state government to consider the demand.
Speaking at a gathering of internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Singh stated, “The reality, however, is that the Manipur High Court had asked the state government to respond to the demand for ST status by the Meiteis. Opposing it, a rally was held, and houses belonging to Meiteis were attacked. That’s how the conflict began.”
Singh also referenced the events of March 27, 2023, when the Manipur High Court ordered the state government to submit recommendations to the central government regarding the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list. This move was met with strong opposition from tribal bodies in the state, culminating in violent clashes on May 3 when a rally by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur in the hill districts escalated into vandalism and arson by a mob from Churachandpur.
The Chief Minister condemned the political exploitation of the crisis, urging that no politics be played in the face of such human suffering. “We are witnessing a human crisis, and no politics should be played,” he stated, stressing that the government has been focused on providing relief, including education, health, and daily provisions, to those in the relief camps.
Singh also emphasized the importance of shifting the mindset from seeking popularity through media discussions to addressing the real issues on the ground. He remarked, “Now is not the time to seek popularity in social media and TV discussions. Let the genuine subject experts and security forces speak on the conflict.”
The CM acknowledged the challenges caused by past leadership mistakes and the current political situation but stressed that sacrifices were needed to protect the state and its people. “We need to take risks and sacrifices to save the land and society. Politics is not for winning elections only,” he said.
Amidst the violence, which has resulted in over 250 deaths and thousands of displaced individuals, Singh continued his efforts to provide relief. He distributed financial assistance to labor cardholders in relief camps under a special scheme to support the education of displaced children. Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and cash payments, a total of ₹2.89 crore was disbursed, ensuring uninterrupted education for children and providing other benefits such as maternity assistance, medical reimbursements, and pensions.
Singh reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being and education of all children in the state, including those in relief camps. “Our Government is committed to providing undeterred access to education for all children in the state including the ones residing at relief camps,” he stated on social media.
As the state continues to grapple with ethnic tensions, Singh’s remarks reflect his focus on managing the crisis, supporting displaced families, and addressing the root causes of the conflict while calling for unity and political maturity.