'It is your past sins that caused Manipur turmoil': Biren Singh attacks Congress for seeking PM Modi's apology

Shortly after he apologised to the Manipur people, Chief Minister N Biren Singh hit out at the Congress on Tuesday, stating that it was the "past sins" committed by the party that caused the current turmoil in Manipur. Singh's tongue-lashing came after Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi wouldn't go to the state and do the same.

Singh took to X to hit out at Jairam Ramesh, citing the past agreements signed by Chidambaram when he was the Home Minister of India as the reason for the conflict.

Stating that the apology he extended was a sincere act of expressing my grief for the people who have been left displaced and become homeless, Singh said: "Everyone, including yourself, is aware that Manipur is in turmoil today because of the past sins committed by the Congress, such as the repeated settlement of Burmese refugees in Manipur and the signing of the SoO Agreement with Myanmar-based militants in the state, spearheaded by P Chidambaram during his tenure as the Home Minister of India."

In a long post, Singh said the Naga-Kuki clashes in Manipur resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,300 people and the displacement of thousands more. "The violence persisted for several years, with periodic escalations occurring between 1992 and 1997, though the most intense period of conflict was in 1992–1993. The clashes began in 1992 and continued at varying intensities for around five years (1992–1997). This period marked one of the bloodiest ethnic conflicts in northeast India, deeply affecting relations between the Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur."

Singh questioned whether PV Narasimha Rao, who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996 and was the President of the Indian National Congress during this time, come to Manipur to extend an apology? 

"The Kuki-Paite clashes claimed 350 lives in the state. During most of the Kuki-Paite clashes (1997–1998), Shri IK Gujral was the Prime Minister of India. Did he visit Manipur and say sorry to the people?," Singh questioned. 

Singh's statement came after Jairam Ramesh took to X over Singh's apology to hit out at PM Modi. "Why can't the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the same thing there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4th, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world. The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect," said Ramesh. 

The latest controversy broke out after Singh apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state which claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless. He said there has been relative peace in the state in the last three-four months, which gives him hope that normalcy will be restored in the new year. "I want to say sorry for what happened in the state. Many people lost their loved ones and many had to leave their homes. I regret and want to apologise. But after seeing relative peace in the last 3-4 months, I hope that normalcy will be restored in the coming year."

"Whatever happened has happened... I want to appeal to all communities to forgive and forget our past mistakes and start life afresh by living together in a peaceful and prosperous Manipur," he said.