What Did Former Manipur CM Discuss with the Governor?

Imphal, May 27 (NationPress) - On Tuesday, former Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, convened a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan, where they deliberated on restoring peace and normalcy along with addressing other significant matters concerning the state, according to officials.

An official disclosed that Singh, who resigned from his position on February 9—just four days prior to the implementation of President’s Rule in the troubled state—met Bhalla at Raj Bhavan.

They engaged in discussions over critical issues tied to the ongoing ethnic strife and other matters, although the official declined to reveal further specifics.

In a later update on X, Singh stated: “I had the opportunity to meet Hon’ble Governor, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan today. We conducted an in-depth discussion regarding various urgent issues affecting the State, including concerns surrounding the Gwaltabi incident (May 2) and the need to alleviate the tensions that emerged from it.”

“We also talked about initiatives launched under the BJP-led government, adhering to the Ministry of Home Affairs' 30-day directive, encompassing biometric registration and verification drives, as well as the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.

The influx of refugees from Myanmar at different times—1962, 1988, and following the 2021 military coup—has made the task of identifying undocumented immigrants in Manipur exceedingly complex,” the former Chief Minister remarked.

He added, “Given the intricacies and scale of this challenge, I urged the Hon’ble Governor to request an extension of the 30-day timeframe established by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Such measures are crucial for safeguarding national security and preserving Manipur's cultural integrity.”

Singh noted that the Governor assured him that necessary steps would be taken to address the issues he raised. He emphasized the dire situation of violence-displaced individuals languishing in relief camps for over two years.

The former Chief Minister also voiced his concerns regarding the prolonged closure of state highways, significantly impacting the valley population. Many locals have faced travel restrictions due to ongoing unrest.

Advocating for decisive action, Singh urged the Governor to disarm groups unlawfully in possession of weapons, asserting that peace cannot be achieved unless such armed factions are neutralized.

Furthermore, Singh addressed the Union Home Ministry’s recent 30-day deadline for the identification of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

While he acknowledged past frustrations with the Ministry's efforts, he welcomed the latest directive that specifically includes both countries.

Singh presented several documents from the identification initiative of illegal migrants undertaken during his tenure as Chief Minister.

This initiative was spearheaded by a Cabinet Sub-Committee featuring Ministers Letpao Haokip, Awangbow Newmai, and Basanta Kumar Singh.

He also submitted a letter from a former Lok Sabha Member of the Outer Manipur constituency, who had previously requested financial assistance from the Centre for 1,500 Myanmar refugee families residing in the state.

He noted the Governor's positive response, ensuring that essential issues such as identifying illegal immigrants, restoring highway access, addressing the plight of displaced individuals, and disarming illegal groups would be promptly addressed.

In a call to the public, Singh advocated for unity and calm in these challenging times.

“We must face these challenges together and with a focused mindset,” he asserted.

When asked about the increasing involvement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in discussions related to the state’s crisis, Singh regarded it as a “positive development” and expressed hope that such engagement would facilitate a faster resolution.

He also emphasized the necessity of inclusivity in peace talks, stressing that all communities must be represented to achieve a sustainable and inclusive solution.

“Collective participation is essential, and those who take the lead should be encouraged,” the former Chief Minister concluded.