Imphal, May 15: The Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday to discuss the law and order situation in the state following clashes between the Meitei community and the Kuki-Zomi tribes. The meeting comes after at least 60 people were killed in the clashes, and tensions remain high between the two communities.
Singh was accompanied by four of his senior ministers, the Manipur BJP chief, and the titular king of Manipur, while the Kuki MLAs have been demanding a change in leadership in the state.
While tensions are still simmering between the two communities in the state, the BJP leadership is treading cautiously in handling the situation. The party has not yet decided on a leadership change, despite the demands for one getting louder, especially from the Kuki MLAs and the community.
“The central leadership is not at all happy with the developments in the state and the way the Chief Minister handled it. But the party leadership is not in favour of a sudden reaction to the demand (for a change of guard),” said a source.
Singh may have got a new lease on life with the recent developments as the Meitei community has extended its support to him. However, the BJP leadership is conscious of its current position in the state, and it realises that any move to disturb him would have serious consequences.
Also Read: Cyclone Mocha Triggers Heavy Rainfall in Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram: IMD Predicts More
Apart from the demands for a leadership change, the clashes have also hurt the BJP’s attempts to woo the Christian community in states such as Kerala, where it wants to expand its electoral presence.
With a number of churches and Christian institutions coming under attack in Manipur during the recent violence, the church leadership has publicly expressed unhappiness over the handling of the situation. The Kukis, who are predominantly Christians, had extended their support to the BJP in the last Assembly election.
The demand for a separate Kuki administration by all 10 MLAs from the community on the ruling side has also resurfaced after the clashes. They include two ministers – Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen. Incidentally, BJP MLA Vunzagin Valte, advisor to the Chief Minister, who suffered serious injuries after he was attacked by a mob, is also one of the signatories of the demand for a separate administration for Kukis.
The Kuki tribes say they no longer feel safe in Manipur, and that the state administration failed to protect them. The demand for separate administration, which had quietened down following peace negotiations between Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups and the government, has resurfaced after the recent clashes.
The BJP leadership will have to tread carefully to handle the situation in Manipur, especially with the demands for a leadership change and the resurgence of the demand for a separate Kuki administration. The party will also have to address the concerns of the Christian community, who have been left unhappy with the handling of the situation.
