Chief Minister Biren Singh urges Naga leaders to help resolve Manipur crisis

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh urged Naga community leaders to take a proactive role in resolving the state's ongoing crisis. Speaking at a Naga community event in Senapati district, he called for collective efforts, emphasising reconciliation, protecting indigenous communities, and restoring peace under constitutional frameworks.

In Short

• Biren Singh calls for collective efforts to restore peace in Manipur
• Stresses need to move past conflicts and work together
• Highlights importance of local initiatives referencing past ethnic clashes

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday called on leaders of the Naga community to play a greater role in resolving the ongoing crisis in the state. Addressing the 42nd Maralui Karalimei Swijoikang (MKS) General Conference in the Naga-dominated Senapati district, Singh emphasised the need for collective efforts to restore peace.

“I want to appeal to the Naga communities that a third party is required to resolve and settle the current issues and for restoration of peace. For this, church and community leaders need to take responsibilities and initiatives. Whatever grievances and problems can all be resolved under the constitution and the rules and Acts of the Manipur government,” Singh said.

The chief minister urged all communities to move forward and work together to address the conflict. “Whatever has happened has happened. As I said during my New Year’s message, it is time to forget and forgive past mistakes. We need to jointly go into the path of peace and bring back the former Manipur. I seek the support of all those gathered today, including elected members, former elected members, and church leaders, to overcome this crisis. I am available 24/7 and will provide whatever is required from the government to establish peace in the state,” he said.

Singh highlighted the importance of initiatives from local leaders, referencing past efforts during clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities in the 1990s. “I need your help. Somebody has to come out. During the Kuki and Naga clashes of the 90s, we tried hard to bring a solution. Similarly, I seek your support now. I have heard of such endeavours to bring peace being taken, but I urge all of you to take the initiation assertively,” Singh said.

Singh also addressed concerns about population growth and indigenous communities. Referring to the Maram tribe, he noted, “The population of the Maram tribe, which has existed for thousands of years, is hardly one lakh. However, in some constituencies, there has been a 400 per cent rise in population. The concerns of the indigenous people should be addressed, and all 34 recognised tribes need to live together.”

The chief minister stressed that the government’s policies are aimed at safeguarding the state’s indigenous communities. “The war on drugs was to save the youths and the generations. Identification of illegal immigrants is to save and protect the numerically less indigenous communities. Do not misunderstand or misinterpret us,” Singh said.

Singh also pointed to efforts to preserve and showcase tribal cultures at the Sangai Ethnic Park, which highlights traditions from communities such as the Thadou, Gangte, Mao, and Maram tribes.