Illegal and Illegitimate: Examining Nongthombam Biren Singh's Dispensation as Chief Minister

Of course, it’s evident that the regime has attempted to conceal the truth and mislead the people of the State. Inevitably, the Central Security Forces have witnessed the ugly truth since its inception.

There is evidence of Nongthombam Biren Singh, Leisbemba Sananaoba, the Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun, valley-based terrorist groups, and like-minded civilians, including the so-called Meira Paibis (The Torchbearers), insisting on the sinister designs, who have not hesitated to rule out crimes against the Kukis. Nonetheless, the legitimization of violence and institutionalization of hate campaigns against the Kukis by the State Chief Minister and his cohorts have turned the situation uncontrollable by its creators.

The term ‘CONTESTATION’ is fitting in the present context, as it reflects the geographical disputes that have led to systematic denudation on the part of Kukiland and systematic grabbing of tribal land by the majority community, the Meitei. The overall systematic setup of an ethnic cleansing campaign against the minority Kukis has reached normlessness and sparked violence since May 3, 2023.

Now it seems that Mr. Biren Singh and his private militia have legitimized violence within  their empire. The degree of high-handedness from the illegitimate Chief Minister has defined explicit and implicit boundaries for dissent, and crossing those boundaries invites reactions from society. What remains is the institutionalization of these boundaries into law.

On the question of illegitimacy, the ruling dispensation meets all criteria to be considered illegitimate at this point. The crimes committed have been used as motivational tools by Biren- led Meiteis, Meira Paibis, AT, Meitei Leepun, and terrorist groups operating in collusion with the junta in their ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kukis since the conflict’s outbreak.

As citizens of India, the Kukis respect the Constitution of India. The same respect should be shown by the Biren-led majority Meiteis in the Valley (650 sq. miles).

Additionally, it raises the question of whether the Chief Minister’s dispensation has lawfully authorized the use of violence as a legal instrument to annihilate the Kukis. It is clear that looted armories in the Valley indicate Biren Singh’s illegitimacy and dissent as Chief Minister of the State.

It is pertinent to note that social and historical circumstances mark important boundaries. Now, Biren’s illegitimate and unacceptable pogroms against the Kukis redraw a clear line between the two warring communities. The illegitimate becomes legitimate, and the unacceptable becomes acceptable, which could even be enshrined in the laws governing India.

Now, we consider exceptions like self-defense, meant for extraordinary and rare situations. Thus, technically, every act of violence is seen as directed by the State government and a fitting reply to the circumstances. It appears that if someone assaults or murders another, the State prosecutes them for violating its monopoly on crafted legitimate violence under the illegitimate Chief Minister.

It is obvious that violence is the enemy of social order and extreme forms of CONTESTATION transgress not only the law but important social norms. Violence in society is a product of social tensions, indicating social problems, particularly in the context of Manipur. It challenges the authority of the State when it goes beyond controllable thresholds. In this sense, the failure of the regime of legitimization and consent, leading to the conflict’s outbreak, proves the current Manipur regime under the dissent Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh and his cohorts to be illegal and illegitimate.

By any standards, Mr. Biren Singh’s government is doubtful to be a legitimate government. The failure to contain and establish trust among both warring communities for more than a year and a half is concerning, rooted in the patently failed systematization of the State government. The situation doesn’t seem likely to abate soon. Lacking constitutional and democratic legitimacy and effective control of the State, the recent attempt to orchestrate the ADC election through local media seeking legitimacy was futile and dangerous in public perception. Mr. Biren Singh’s government has proven itself incapable of effectively administering the State’s law and order.

The Kuki people now manifest their refusal to associate with the illegitimate government and are reluctant to accept the Manipur Government as their own. The only feasible solution for maintaining peace in the region is to recognize and accept the Kukis’ demands as soon as possible, which will hopefully restore their hope and aspirations.

For the Kukis, being physically, emotionally, demographically, and geopolitically separated, the separation is complete. The only viable solution now is administration with legislature in the form of statehood or union territory.

Separate administration is the only solution!