Understanding Biren – BJP Nexus: Political Chess in Kuki – Meitei Conflict Unveiled

The Irony – Paradox – call it whatever you want.

Most rational Indians and those with basic moral principle will question the series of actions the Union Government/BJP has taken in the ongoing Kuki-Meitei Conflict. The silence of Prime Minister Modi; the scapegoating of Kukis as illegal immigrants and blaming this as the reason for the conflict by Amit Shah in the Parliament; reluctance to brand Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun as terrorist organisations under UAPA; reluctance to disband Manipur Police Commandos (instigator and perpetuator of violence); and the recent sheltering of UNLF from the wrath of KNA-B and PDF by hastefully agreeing to a peace talk are clear evidences of  the nexus between N. Biren Singh, Chief Agent of Violence and the incumbent government of India.

There is a simple explanation to this boiling cauldron of confusion. To the centre govt. and in particular to the BJP and perhaps for Amit Shah personally, N. Biren Singh is a hero - an astute politician whose politics benefits the rhetoric of the times.

Electoral Politics – 2024 Lok Sabha election:

BJP is losing ground in most states; it has negligible presence in South India. Telangana goes to poll today. It is expected that BJP will only be a minor player. Election results in Mizoram are yet to be declared but it is highly unlikely for BJP to wield any significant power there. The same is expected in other states which are yet to go to polls or those which are waiting for the result. BJP is losing ground. As a last-ditch effort, BJP will try to galvanise the public by portraying itself as the government who brought in significant changes to the polity. This is where the recent UNLF peace accord gains significance. N. Biren Singh acted as the broker between the Union government and UNLF. BJP will use this in their election campaign. The tagline is clear as day, ‘BJP – the government which brought about an end to the 6 decade long separatist movement in Manipur’. By sheltering UNLF in Manipur, BJP now and other governments in the future will utilise UNLF in democratic elections. ‘UNLF In - Free and Fair Election Out’.

Moreover, Biren was able to bring in the current MP of Manipur Leisemba Sanajaoba into mainstream politics. Leisemba has associations with a Meitei group based in London  called ‘Manipur Government in Exile’ (MGE). When Leisamba’s associates Yambem Biren (Chief Minister of MGE) and Narengbam Samarjit (Minister of External affairs and Defence, MGE) were arrested by NIA, in order to save him, Biren brought him into mainstream politics by electing him as MP of Manipur. Thus began the tale of Arambai Tenggol and the rest is history as we all know it.

Give and Take policy

It has been learned that three other camps are to be set up for UNLF. Apart from Kakching, the govt. plans to setup camps in Moreh, Kwatha and Jiribam. The MHA has clearly specified that UNLF is a VBIG belonging to the Meitei community. Moreh and Kwatha are from the hill districts. Jiribam is dominated by tribal population of mostly Kukis and few Nagas. Moreover, the UNLF cadres who surrendered just number in 400. Do you need four designated SoO camps for only 400 cadres?The answer is a big ‘NO’.  We can safely conclude that the other three designated camps are unnecessary. Jiribam has a railway station. Moreh is and will be an international busy trading hub. The Centre govt. must appease the Meiteis in some way or the other if we are to get Separate Administration. Is the govt. of India/ the BJP planning to accept our demand for Union Territory on the condition that the above given areas remain in the hands of the Manipur government? Is this too much of a stretch or could this become a reality? Only time will tell.

Added to this, the UNLF have operated in Pherzawl, Henglep and Jiribam areas in the past. They have created havoc and turmoil for the Kukis there. Their presence in camps besides Kakching will pose a direct threat to the existence of the Kukis.

In conclusion, BJP will keep listening to N. Biren Singh at the cost of Kukis’ Ancestral Land. When will the BJP and the Union government of India realise that we the Kukis are its true allies? The Indian government should be weary of the situation developing in Myanmar. Meiteis, be it UGs or the people - also known as Kathe in Myanmar - support the Tatmadaw. If and when the NUG comes to power, will India be able hold moral authority as the largest democracy in the world? It’s time to wake up! Arise from your slumber! UNLF and Meiteis have taken many lives of our Jawans. Long Live India! Long Live our Samvidhan.