This is the first in a series of articles, aimed at gathering constructive suggestions for restoring peace and harmony in Manipur. I have reached out to both the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, inviting them to submit articles. However, I have yet to receive any responses from my Meitei friends whom I approached on Twitter. I hope they respond soon so that this does not become a one-sided narrative.
— Navin Upadhyay, Editor, The Power Corridors
By Jenifer Vaiphei
THE resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh marks a significant moment in the
ongoing ethnic crisis in the state. However, for the Kuki community, his departure does little
to change the grim realities they have faced over the past several months. The damage
inflicted—both in terms of lives lost and the trust shattered—has made their demand for
political separation from Manipur irreversible.
Biren Singh: A Controversial Legacy
Biren Singh, a former BSF footballer-turned-politician, will go down in history as one of
Manipur’s most divisive and controversial leaders. His tenure has been marked by policies
that marginalized tribal communities, particularly the Kukis, and his alleged role in the ethnic
violence has earned him the reputation of a Kuki Genocider among his critics.
Ironically, while he positioned himself as a champion of Manipur’s territorial integrity, his
actions have directly contributed to the fragmentation of the state. If the Kuki demand for
separation is realized, Biren Singh will be remembered as the leader under whose rule
Manipur was divided.
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The Rise of Biren Singh and His Anti-Kuki Policies
A defector from the Congress party, Biren Singh became Manipur’s first BJP Chief Minister in
2017 and secured a second term in 2022. From the beginning, he sought to present himself
as the protector of the Meitei community, often using divisive rhetoric that alienated the
Kukis. His speeches and policies reflected a deep-rooted bias against the Kuki people, whom
he frequently labeled as ‘illegal immigrants, refugees, forest encroachers and poppy
planters.’ Even when he was the Congress minister, he didn’t hide his deep hatred for the
Kuki people.
During his first term as Chief Minister, Biren’s anti-Kuki rhetorics could be still tolerable and
hidden as he wanted more ground work for his alleged ethnic cleansing against Kukis.
However, during his second term as the CM, Biren became emboldened as he was with the
perception that he could play the card of *Divide and Rule* among the Kukis by bribing and
silencing whoever opposed his policies-MDCs, MLAs and the SoO leaders.
ALSO READ: Biren Singh factor behind Manipur’s political deadlock?
His administration’s eviction drive, particularly the forced displacement of Kuki settlements
such as K. Songjang village under Henglep Sub Division, Churachandpur district in February
2023, exemplified his selective targeting of tribal communities. Despite these villages
possessing legal land records, they were arbitrarily declared part of “protected forests” while
similar settlements belonging to the Naga community remained untouched. This blatant
discrimination fuelled resentment and further strengthened the Kuki demand for self-
governance. It may be also mentioned that the proposed Churachandpur-Khoupum
protected forest includes several areas of Churachandpur township which is inhumane to say
the least.
The “War on Drugs” – A Political Gimmick?
Biren Singh’s much-publicized “War on Drugs” was selectively enforced, disproportionately
targeting Kuki-dominated areas while ignoring similar activities within the Meitei
community. The former Manipur Police officer, Th. Brinda, exposed the hypocrisy of this
campaign, alleging that Biren Singh himself was complicit in drug trafficking. She claimed
that he pressured her to release Lhunkhosei Zou, a politician caught with drugs worth
crores, further raising questions about the sincerity of his so-called anti-drug efforts.
Moreover, reports indicate that poppy cultivation was prevalent even in constituencies
controlled by Biren Singh’s second wife & Chandel MLA SS Olish. There are various instances
when State forces like Police Commandos are arrested with drugs. Biren who also held
Home portfolio is directly responsible for this. This selective enforcement suggests that the
campaign was more of a political tool than a genuine effort to curb narcotics production.
Biren Singh and the Exploitation of Natural Resources
While Biren Singh projected himself as an environmentalist, his past tells a different story.
Among tribal communities, he was once known as a “Timber Mahajon” (Timber Trader),
accused of deforestation and exploiting Manipur’s forest resources for personal gain. His
brother, N. Dilip Singh ran one of the largest timber businesses in the state, benefiting from
illicit logging operations until the violence erupted on May 3, 2023. He installed a sawmill at
Sugnu and all the timber which came from the hills and even from Myanmar was controlled
by him through SoO cadres. He openly transported throughout the valley and as the brother
of CM Biren, no law authorities dared to question him. Meiteis are aware of this fact as well.
The impunity with which this business operated—transporting timber from Myanmar
through Kuki insurgent-controlled areas—suggests high-level complicity.
Biren’s Direct Role in the May 3, 2023 Violence
The ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, is widely believed to have been
orchestrated with Biren Singh’s tacit approval. The “Manipur Tapes” leak strengthened
suspicions that his administration played an active role in enabling the ethnic cleansing of
Kukis. The attack was timed strategically—just days before the Government of India was set
to finalize peace talks with Kuki insurgent groups (SoO cadres) on May 8. This raises serious
questions about whether Biren Singh sought to derail a possible settlement that could have
granted Kukis greater autonomy.
Although the May 3, 2023 rally was organized by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM),
which includes both Kukis and Nagas, the violence was disproportionately targeted at the
Kuki community. This suggests premeditation rather than spontaneous clashes, reinforcing
claims that the attack was part of a larger political strategy.
Biren’s Resignation: A Tactical Move?
Contrary to media reports suggesting that Biren Singh resigned voluntarily, his departure
appears to have been a forced political maneuver by the BJP leadership. His continued
presence in power had become a liability, especially with mounting evidence of his role in
the ethnic conflict. Facing a possible collapse of the BJP coalition in Manipur, the party likely
saw his resignation as a way to buy time and rebuild its political standing.
However, for the Kuki community, Biren Singh’s resignation is irrelevant to their core
demand: separation from Manipur.
The Kukis Demand: Beyond Autonomy, Towards Separation
Before May 3, 2023, the Kuki people sought greater autonomy within Manipur to protect
their culture, identity, and political rights. However, after the violence, their stance has
hardened—separation from Manipur is now seen as the only viable path forward.
The Kuki public and their armed groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO)
agreement have reached an irreversible consensus. The devastation, displacement, and
massacres they endured have left deep scars. Many within the community argue that there
is no future for Kukis in the Valley, a place they once called home but now view as the
“Valley of Death.”
For Kukis, Biren Singh’s resignation is not an olive branch but merely a political recalibration
by the BJP. The central government’s continued silence on the atrocities committed against
them has only reinforced the belief that they must take control of their own destiny.
The Road Ahead
The political landscape of Manipur is shifting, and the Kuki community is resolute in its
demand for a separate political entity. Whether through constitutional means or sustained
resistance, they no longer see reconciliation within Manipur as an option. The Government
of India now faces a crucial decision: Will it recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Kuki
people, or will it continue to ignore their suffering, risking further instability in the
Northeast?
One thing is clear—there is no turning back. The Kuki-Zo people have made their choice
which was forced upon by the Meiteis themselves, and Biren Singh’s resignation does little
to change that. The last bus to the hills has already left, and for the Kukis, there is no return
to the valley.
(The author represents the voice and aspirations of the KukiZo community and hails from Manipur. She is avid reader with a keen interest in politics and social issues. She occasionally writes, sharing her perspectives on topics that matter. A passionate music lover, she finds inspiration in melodies as much as in words. Email: jenfervaiphei@gmail.com Twitter: @Jenifer_Vaiphei. The views are her personal)
