IMPHAL
Interview/ Yumnam Joykumar Singh, former deputy CM and DGP, Manipur
Manipur’s former director general of police Yumnam Joykumar Singh, who was deputy chief minister in Biren Singh’s first cabinet, is well-acquainted with both the political and law enforcement landscape of Manipur. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Joykumar called Biren Singh a dictator and said the chief minister could not absolve himself of the responsibility for converting a law and order issue into an ethnic war. Excerpts:
Q/ Why are people attacking the residences of ministers and MLAs? Biren Singh was once seen as someone guarding Meitei interests.
A/ People have understood Biren Singh’s true motives. Trust in him has eroded, and there is a widespread desire for normalcy and peace. Arambai Tenggol [a Meitei organisation] threatened booth agents of the Congress, yet the Congress candidate won [in the Lok Sabha polls]. Now, the public is taking to the streets in protest against this government. If this continues, the Congress is likely to sweep the next assembly elections. Biren Singh used Manipur’s issues for personal gain, and it has backfired. What we are witnessing on the streets and in the attacks on the ministers’ and MLAs’ residences is a direct result of this.
Q/ What was the biggest mistake made by Biren Singh as chief minister?
A/ He acted as chief minister of only one community. The issue could have been resolved early on, but it escalated due to the interests of a few individuals. The situation worsened after the High Court’s order to include Meiteis in the ST list. It was clear that violence was imminent, and it could have been managed as a law and order issue. Instead of addressing it as such, the government turned it into an ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and the Kukis. The role of Arambai Tenggol in the violence was evident, and police arsenals were made available to them.
Q/ What is Biren Singh’s role in Arambai Tengol?
A/ He is one of the key figures behind the formation of this organisation, which has now become a private militia. Biren Singh anticipated a situation where he would not receive support from the central leadership, and in such a scenario, he needed a force to manage everything. This is how Arambai Tenggol came into being. Now, they are forcefully convening meetings of Meitei MLAs, threatening lawmakers, manhandling them, and creating an atmosphere of fear.
Q/ People are complaining that armed groups are engaging in extortion.
A/ Initially, people supported Arambai Tenggol, but now they are not receiving any donations. As a result, they are threatening businessmen and others for money. The government signed a peace agreement with the valley-based insurgent group UNLF (Pambei faction), but has not decided on a rehabilitation package. They are also engaging in similar extortion. Manipur has become lawless, and that is why people are calling it state-sponsored extortion.
Q/ Could the government have saved the lives of the six innocent people abducted from Jiribam?
A/ The government completely failed in managing the situation. The local MLA has strong ties with the Hmar community. Why wasn’t his influence utilised to facilitate the release of the hostages? Assam Rifles, with its longstanding relationship with the Kuki-Zo community, could have played a key role as mediator. The situation could have been resolved through negotiation and dialogue.
Q/ Has the Biren Singh government gained the trust of its allies in the NDA and discussed the matter internally?
A/ Never. We were never consulted on anything. Despite being the second-largest party after the BJP and a part of the NDA, we were not invited to the first meeting convened by the Chief Minister following the May 3, 2023, Manipur violence. Biren Singh governs like a dictator. Those who speak out are silenced by Arambai Tenggol, while the Manipur police register cases to suppress dissent. This is not an NDA government; it is solely Biren Singh’s government.
Q/ What is the solution now?
A/ We had previously written to Home Minister Amit Shah outlining five points to address the issues in Manipur. The first point emphasized building confidence between communities. Central forces should provide protection to allow Kukis to travel to Imphal, the airport, and other destinations safely. Similarly, Meiteis should receive protection to travel through Kuki-dominated areas. Gradually, people will begin to accept this, leading to a return to normalcy.Currently, Manipur is divided—Kukis cannot access the valley, and Meiteis cannot enter Kuki areas. Our second point was the establishment of a neutral government. We emphasized that parallel governance by militias should not be allowed. The Manipur government and police must serve all communities equally, not favor any particular group. While relief work for internally displaced persons has been carried out, rehabilitation remains neglected. The government should provide direct financial aid to the victims to rebuild their homes rather than offering temporary prefabricated housing. Once people have their own houses, life will slowly return to normal. Individuals have self-esteem and cannot always rely on handouts for survival.
Q/ Why hasn’t Biren Singh been removed, even after his own MLAs approached the central leadership?
A/ He has the support of Home Minister Amit Shah, though I have no insight into their relationship. If such a situation had occurred anywhere else in the country, the chief minister would have been removed.
Q/ According to Biren Singh, the main cause of all the issues is the infiltration of Chin refugees from Myanmar.
A/ You can check who was promoting them to win the elections. How is it that Kuki MLAs are winning in Naga-dominated areas? BJP and Biren Singh have used the Kuki people for political gain. Regarding the Myanmar issue, India has a larger interest in Myanmar for geopolitical reasons. While supporting the democratic forces in the border areas, the government should send a strong message against infiltration.
Q/ What will people's reaction be in the next assembly election?
A/ The BJP will lose disastrously if corrective measures are not taken. As an ally of the NDA, we have also suffered some damage. It is a positive move that the NPP withdrew its support from the Biren government. Instead of a Congress sweep, the next election will likely be a three-cornered contest between the Congress, the BJP and the NPP. Being a partner of the BJP in Manipur has badly affected us. The impact of the Manipur situation was very evident in the NPP's loss of two parliamentary seats in Meghalaya, as the Christian community there was closely watching what was happening in Manipur.