Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has escalated his claims about foreign involvement in the ongoing crisis in the state, pointing to the recent arrest of a Myanmar national. This individual, identified as Thanglinkap, is a member of the Kuki National Army (Burma) and has been accused of conducting reconnaissance missions within Manipur. He was apprehended by the Assam Rifles in the Chandel district.
Singh, in a statement on Monday, commended the actions of the Assam Rifles, emphasizing his long-held belief that external forces are fueling the violence in Manipur. “As a Chief Minister, I have been consistently claiming from the beginning that the current crisis in Manipur is due to outsiders, foreign hand. But some people believe, some do not. But I appreciate the Assam Rifles, who arrested foreign nationals with evidence of supply of weapons to militants operating in Manipur,” he said.
The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023, has resulted in over 200 deaths and displaced thousands of people. The conflict has erupted between the Meitei community, predominantly residing in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki community, primarily inhabiting the hill districts.
Singh further asserted on Monday that the influx of illegal immigrants and the drug trade are at the root of the crisis.
These pronouncements come alongside the Manipur government’s decision to restore internet and mobile data services across the state after a six-day ban. Additionally, the administration has lifted movement restrictions in several areas as of Tuesday. “The internet ban in the state will be lifted, and services will be restored. I urge everyone to use the internet responsibly and refrain from sharing or posting any unnecessary or inflammatory content that may disturb the peace and harmony in the state,” the Chief Minister stated earlier on Monday.
The Chief Minister’s accusations and the easing of restrictions on internet access and movement suggest a complex and evolving situation in Manipur, with authorities grappling with the challenges of restoring stability and addressing the underlying causes of the ongoing crisis.
