‘Pre-planned’: Manipur CM Biren Singh hints at external forces behind violence

Manipur,July 2:  Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday hinted at “a foreign hand” behind the violence that has gripped the state since May 3 following the organisation of a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts.

The chief minister said that external elements may have had a hand in the ethnic clashes, adding that it seemed “pre-planned”, reported news agency ANI.

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“Manipur shares its borders with Myanmar. China is also nearby. As much as 398 km of our borders are porous and unguarded. There are security forces deployed on our frontiers, but even a robust and extensive security deployment can’t cover such a vast area. However, going by what’s happening, we can neither deny nor vehemently affirm…it seems pre-planned but the reason is not clear,” the Manipur chief minister said.

He said the Centre and the state government were making all efforts to restore peace to the state, adding that he spoke with his “Kuki brothers and sisters” over the telephone earlier in the day, saying, “Let’s forgive and forget”.

N Biren Singh also spoke about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur. Questioning the timing of the Gandhi scion’s visit, adding that his visit to the state seemed like “political agenda”.

“We can’t stop anyone. But the timing – it has been 40 days. Why did he not come earlier? He is a Congress leader but in what capacity was he making the visit? I don’t think the timing was right. He seemed to have come with a political agenda. He came and then there was an incident in the market and BJP office was attacked. Did he come for the situation in the state or for political mileage? I don’t support the manner in which he came,” said Manipur chief minister Biren Singh.

The ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur have resulted in over 100 deaths till now.

The violence initially erupted on May 3 following the organization of a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts.

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The march was a response to the Meitei community’s call for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which saw strong opposition from the tribal Kuki community. The clashes between the two groups have since escalated.

-PTI