IMPHAL, Dec 17: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Keisham Meghachandra Singh has accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of displaying a lack of seriousness in addressing the ongoing violence in the state. He criticized their contradictory statements, which he claimed have caused confusion and undermined public confidence.
Speaking at a press briefing, Meghachandra Singh highlighted inconsistencies in Amit Shah’s explanations for the violence. “Initially, the Union Home Minister blamed a High Court order for the unrest. Later, in Parliament, he alleged the violence was triggered by illegal immigrants. Again, he described the conflict as an ethnic issue between communities,” Meghachandra stated, emphasizing the contradictory nature of these accounts.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was also accused of making conflicting statements. Meghachandra pointed out that the Chief Minister first attributed the violence to an intelligence failure and a breakdown of law and order. However, during the recent Vijay Diwas celebrations, Biren Singh claimed that he had not received intelligence reports for the past 15 months. “If intelligence reports have not reached him, who holds responsibility for the state’s Home Department?” Meghachandra asked, noting that Biren Singh himself heads the department.
The Congress leader further questioned discrepancies in the Chief Minister’s remarks about agencies supplying incorrect information to the Centre. “Who are these agencies? Are they state or central agencies? This raises doubts about the credibility of their assessments and the functioning of governance in Manipur,” he added.
Meghachandra Singh also expressed concern over the apparent disconnect between the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister in their understanding of the conflict. “While the CM and Amit Shah offer differing explanations, it raises the question of what the Home Ministry at the Centre plans to do. The lack of clarity is worrisome,” he said.
Strongly criticizing both leaders, Meghachandra accused them of failing to adequately address the crisis. “The Chief Minister and the Home Minister are not serious about this tragedy. Thousands have been dehumanized, many have been killed. Their contradictory statements only add to the confusion and despair of the people,” he stated.
