Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of decades-long betrayal of the people of Manipur, particularly over the issue of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Singh highlighted how the Congress-led UPA government outrightly rejected Manipur’s demand for ILP in Parliament. Citing a session from September 4, 2012, he pointed out that when Dr. Thokchom Meinya raised a question regarding the ILP, the then Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Mullappaly Ramachandran, dismissed the request. “The Inner Line Permit System under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is applicable only to the three North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland, which cannot be extended to the State of Manipur as per extant regulation,” was the official response.
Condemning Congress for ignoring the aspirations of Manipur, Singh said, “On one hand, Congress shamelessly denied Manipur’s legitimate demand for ILP in Parliament. On the other hand, a young student, Sapam Robinhood, made the ultimate sacrifice for this very cause. At a time when the streets of Manipur were filled with pain, anger, and mourning, did the Congress leadership even attempt to engage? Did they speak to the people, seek guidance, or show the slightest empathy? No. They stayed silent, unmoved, disconnected, and completely absent from the ground.”
Singh accused Congress of historically neglecting Manipur, citing its transformation from a princely state to a Union Territory in 1949 and the delay in granting statehood until 1972. “Congress never considered Manipuris as equals. Their governance was marked by deliberate neglect, blatant appeasement of illegal immigrants, and a long-running strategy of treating the indigenous people as second-class citizens,” he added.
In contrast, he credited the BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for finally granting ILP to Manipur in 2019, a longstanding demand of the people.
Refugee Crisis and Demographic Shifts in Manipur
Singh also raised concerns over the long-standing refugee issue in Manipur, questioning whether the state had been used as a dumping ground for refugees for decades. He revealed that official records from the 1960s and 70s indicated the presence of over 1,500 refugee families who were settled in the state with the knowledge of the authorities at the time.
Citing letters from MPs and government officials, Singh pointed out that these refugees were provided assistance for rehabilitation, but their status and integration process have never been fully addressed. “Were they eventually granted full rights? Were they added to electoral rolls? Were they extended benefits meant for indigenous communities? These are not small matters; they touch the core of our identity, our social balance, and the direction we’re heading in as a society,” he asserted.
He lamented that raising these issues often leads to political backlash, but insisted that silence is no longer an option. “From my experience in active politics and high office, I understand the weight it carries to be a representative of the people. It’s easy to go with the tide, but true responsibility lies in standing firm on facts. We owe it to our people to be truthful, defend their dignity, and be forward-looking. That’s what it means to be a statesman, not just a politician.”
The remarks have sparked fresh political debates in Manipur, with many demanding clarity on historical refugee settlements and urging a comprehensive review of policies concerning the demographic and social balance of the state.
