Shah mooted popular Govt after assessing situation: Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 11 2025: Former chief minister N Biren has conveyed that union home minister Amit Shah is keen to facilitate formation of a popular government in Manipur after assessing the overall situation in the state.

Around 1.30 pm Wednesday, both Biren Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba arrived at Imphal Airport.

They briefly interacted with media persons who were at the airport.

In his briefing, Biren recounted that after reaching Delhi on Monday, he met the union home minister the same evening and again the next day around 3 pm with the second consultation lasting for about an hour.

Shah mooted popular Govt after assessing situation: Biren

During the meeting, Biren said, he informed the union home minister of the tension enfolding in the state over the past few days, the delayed resettlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and absence of free movement on the highways.

The former chief minister said that the Centre, like the people, wants installation of a popular government in the state, which is currently under the President's Rule after his resignation in February.

"We met Shah on the night of June 9.We held a meeting for over an hour again the next day.

I apprised the home minister on various issues including bandhs, internally displaced persons and restriction on free movement along highways," Biren said.

"I also apprised him (Shah) of the people's desire for a popular government in the state.

Shah said the central government also wants the same and will soon consider it after examining the situation," the former CM maintained, further confiding that process of convening a meeting of representatives of various communities is underway.

The Centre had on April 5 held a meeting with representatives of the warring Meetei and Kuki communities in an effort to bring a lasting peace in the restive state.

The discussions also figured peace talks being held with other communities so as to restore peace and normalcy in the state at the soonest possible, shared the former chief minister.

He also relayed about the union home minister appealing to all concerned to help maintain peace, adding that the issue is crucial and steps would be taken up to uphold Manipur's integrity and also protect the indigenous population.

Stating that there is some ground work which needs to be done, Biren said that the tasks for the same would not be made public at the moment.

However, efforts are being made to work together with CSOs, elected members, mothers and students' bodies, organisations, etc., to bring a solution.

In this, the people need to be democratic and peaceful instead of resorting to violence.

The central government has reassured that Manipur's interests would not be compromised, he said, while urging all to do what they need to do in a democratic and peaceful manner.

Biren also reportedly submitted a copy of the memorandum he had submitted to the Governor on June 7 for identifying illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar, to which the union home minister assured to look into.

He specified that the memorandum handed over to Shah urged for extension of the 30-day period given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for identification of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The MHA on May 19 issued a 30-day deadline for all states and Union Territories to verify the identity and documentation of individuals suspected to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Those who fail to produce valid documents will be liable for deportation.

Biren and several Meetei organisations hold illegal immigrants from neighbouring Myanmar responsible for the unrest and narcotic drug problems in the state.

At least 260 people have lost their lives ever since the ethnic violence broke out between the Imphal valley-based Meetei and neighbouring hills-based Kuki communities in May 2023 .

Several thousand arms were looted from different police stations across Manipur during the initial phase of the conflict.

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a former Union home secretary, took charge as Governor of Manipur on January 3 .

President's rule in Manipur was imposed on February 13 after Biren resigned on February 9.The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.

Biren, along with MP Sanajaoba, had gone to New Delhi on Monday to brief central leaders about the current situation in the state where ethnic violence left at least 260 people dead and rendered thousands homeless since May 2023 .