Former Dy CM gives it back to Ex-CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 01 2025: N Biren Singh has shown his poor grasp of the Meitei-Kuki conflict, NPP leader and former Deputy CM Yumnam Joykumar has asserted as he called out former Chief Minister for dragging PA Sangma's name into the Manipur crisis.

"It's unfortunate that Mr N Biren Singh dragged Late PA Sangma's name into the Manipur crisis...His statement is baffling, as NPP never backed Kukiland.

The 2014 video he shared predates the issue, showing his poor grasp of the Meitei-Kuki conflict.

Despite ample time, he failed to restore peace," said Joykumar on X .

Notably, N Biren Singh had shared a video of Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma's father, PA Sangma, in which the late Congress leader was heard telling Parliament that he was in favour of creating smaller States.

"We must go for smaller States.

I am in favour of smaller States.

There are many areas where there is a demand for separate States.

In our eastern region, for example, or the North Eastern region, demands for separate States - Gorkhaland, Kamtapur, Bodoland, Karbi Anglong; Garoland, my own side; Dimasa, Kukiland, so many demands are there," PA Sangma was heard saying in the old video.

Along with the video, N Biren had written, "The late Shri PA Sangma once advocated for dividing the North East into smaller States along ethnic lines, a dangerous idea that threatened the unity of our Nation.

Today, we are seeing similar attempts to interfere in Manipur's internal affairs to destabilise the state" .

"...The present crisis is not political at its core.

It stems from a complex mix of challenges: the drug menace, illegal immigration, destruction of forests, and the systematic pursuit of power by select groups...

Does Mr Conrad Sangma know that Manipur had already initiated border fencing? That the Free Movement Regime (FMR) is now strictly regulated? Has he noticed the alarming rise in unrecognised villages within Manipur's borders?" said N Biren on X .

The post had also courted sharp response from Conrad Sangma who termed N Biren "dragging" his father's name "unfortunate" .

In his post on X, Joykumar said, "I'm shocked by his tone and claims.

The ILP was approved after an all-party delegation met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where NPP played a key role-Biren Ji should recall this" .

Joykumar said the 2014 video of PA Sangma is irrelevant to today's clash.

"Biren's queries to NPP president Conrad expose his weak understanding.

He claims credit for ILP but it was the Dy CM from NPP not BJP, who pushed for it in the delegation meeting," he said.

Joykumar further accused N Biren Singh of letting a law and order situation spiral into a communal strife.

"Biren Ji misjudged the Kuki-Meitei conflict's roots.

The Tribal Students' rally against the High Court's ST status order for Meiteis was a law-and-order issue he let spiral into communal strife.

Why did his Govt allow massive rallies, withdraw commandos from Churachandpur...?" .

"His Govt's failure to protect lives and property fueled this crisis.

Biren blames drugs, illegal immigration, deforestation, and power grabs, but who runs the drug trade? Refer to ex-SP Brinda Devi's expose.

Who let Kuki immigrants from Myanmar settle in Tengnoupal to aid BJP's Letpao Haokip and SS Olish's wins? Jhum cultivation, not Kukis, harms forests.

If he means BJP's deals with Kuki groups, NPP isn't involved.

Conrad's right-focus on peace, not blame, for Manipur's future," said Joykumar.

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