Chief Minister Biren Singh: Improving Conditions in Manipur Amidst Complexity

Guwahati/Imphal, Dec 23 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, shared on Monday that although the circumstances in his state are complicated, there is a gradual improvement taking place. He noted that achieving full normalcy and peace will necessitate time. After observing the passing out ceremony of new recruits at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Assam's Golaghat district, he remarked that most districts in Manipur have remained free from incidents for several months.
“The situation in Manipur is complex. Restoring complete normalcy will take time. Both state and Central security forces, along with the civil administration, are striving hard to maintain a violence-free environment and to provide services to the populace,” Biren Singh informed the press.
This year, 1,984 recruits from the Manipur police underwent training at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy, with 1,946 successfully completing their program.
Assam's Governor, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who is also overseeing Manipur's gubernatorial responsibilities, was present at the parade.
The Chief Minister mentioned that due to the unfavorable situation in Manipur, he had previously reached out to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for assistance in training the new police recruits, to which Sarma promptly agreed.
“The historical bond between Assam and Manipur is evidently strong,” he expressed his gratitude towards Assam's Chief Minister, his cabinet members, DGP G.P. Singh, and other key officials.
Addressing inquiries about infiltration from Bangladesh, Biren Singh pointed out that infiltration issues from Bangladesh and Myanmar are challenges not only for Manipur but also for Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and other northeastern states.
“We must tackle the infiltration challenge collectively,” he stated, adding that the new police recruits include individuals from the Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga communities, and the government aims to unite them without ethnic divisions.
Official sources indicate that among the 1,946 recruits, the caste distribution showcases diversity, with 62% being non-tribal Meiteis, 12% tribal Kuki-Zo, and the remaining 26% comprising Naga and other tribes.
Ethnic clashes between the non-tribal Meiteis and tribal Kuki-Zo erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organized in the hill districts to oppose the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
According to police reports, 258 individuals, including militants, have lost their lives, and more than 2,000 have sustained injuries over the 19 months of ethnic conflicts.