Was Biren's Security Convoy Ambush a Staged-Drama?

After electoral defeat in the just concluded 18th Parliamentary election in both seats of the Parliament in Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the architect of state sponsored violence against the Kukis, has been enacting all sorts of drama to save his political chair as various reports suggested that his position is shaky at the moment with the BJP dismal performance in Parliamentary election. Biren Singh is known to have mastered the art of enacting drama to save his political throne in the past too.

Notably, his advance security team which was travelling to Jiribam was reportedly ambushed by unknown armed assailants on Monday (June 10) at near Sinam Jonhol village along National Highway – 37. There are reports that one security personnel has been injured in the ambush.

Despite the anti-Congress rhetoric in the state, INC candidate Bimol Akoijam won by over 1 Lakh votes. The NDA ally NPF, supported by the BJP, in the state also lost to INC candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur, in Outer Parliamentary seat. In the face of such humiliating defeat, there are several insider reports that the incumbent Chief Minister N. Biren Singh will be replaced as the head of the state. Various ruling

MLAs have been camping for the removal of CM N. Biren from his chair. Key contenders to replace Mr. Biren Singh include Govindas Konthoujam, Thongam Bishwajit, Yumnam Khemchand and Th. Radheshyam.

However, if enacting drama is an art, Biren Singh is the Picasso of it. There are speculations that even the reported ambushed on his advance security team is also a staged-drama. He can stoop to any level to safeguard his political throne. The thirst for power in him never vanishes despite his incompetency.

It may be recalled that Mr. Biren Singh enacted a high octane drama last year when his popularity saw a sharp decline among his people. When news of his resignation trickled in on June last year, people started crowding the entrance of the CM Secretariat in Imphal. Soon, photos of a torn resignation letter were flashed across television with reports suggesting a change in decision at the eleventh hour. These were all enacted drama just to gain the sympathy of gullible Meiteis. He could have just faxed his resignation to the Governor. If that had not been a drama and the intention had been pure, he would not have taken the public road and got entangled amongst his supporters. He could have done it in the easy way, but he chose to enact drama just to save his political throne.

In the same vein, it is expected of the same strategy that Mr. Biren has redeployed his old tactic again by staging a staged ambush against his security convoy. If CM Biren is really concerned about the situation in Jiribam, he could have travelled by air (Helicopter). It is of public knowledge that the CM would never take a road trip to Jiribam when the road traverses through many Kuki villages. What’s the point in sending advance security team if he is not going to travel by road? He is just simply risking the lives innocent security personnel. Or is this another mischievous tactic of CM Biren to gain the sympathy of his people and the political bosses in the national capital?

An odd 24 hours have passed and none has claimed responsibility about the attack. This makes it more imperative that the alleged ambush could be a staged-drama. CM Biren must be aware of the entire possible outcome if he tried to travel to Jiribam by road. Despite all this awareness in him, he took the risk of sending an advance security team because he saw an advantage in it. He must have already known that they could come under attack if they proceeded to Jiribam by road, but he chose to do so because he knew the attack on him would benefit only himself and that that could steer another political drama for him.

Well, this could be another Resignation Drama 2.0!