Is CM Biren Singh the key culprit in Manipur riot? Voice suggests using bombs

The ongoing Manipur unrest, which began on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, exacerbated into a full-blown riot that is found to have happened with the complicity of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. A voice recording, purportedly of the CM, has been submitted to a Commission of Inquiry, attesting to that extent.

If verified, it would reveal the Chief Minister's involvement in and encouragement of the violence that has plagued the state, claiming 226 lives and displacing around 60,000 people as of May 2024, The Wire reported.

The 48-minute audio file, which is claimed to be a recording of a private meeting involving the Chief Minister, allegedly captures statements that are deeply divisive and inflammatory. These statements suggest that rather than working towards peace, the Chief Minister might have been exacerbating tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, The Wire report suggested.

The recording is said to have been made by an attendee at the meeting, who has since provided the Commission with an affidavit attesting to its authenticity. Due to the sensitivity of the situation and the potential risks to those involved, the identity of the individual who made the recording has been withheld.

The content of the recording has caused significant concern, raising questions about whether Chief Minister Biren Singh has been acting in the best interests of all communities in Manipur or primarily representing the Meitei community.

The audio allegedly captures the Chief Minister discussing the use of force, including "bombs," in the conflict, and mocking Union Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting that instructions from the central government were being disregarded.

According to some participants at the meeting, who spoke anonymously due to fears for their safety, the voice on the recording is indeed that of Biren Singh. The recording was reportedly made during a crucial period when the state was embroiled in severe ethnic violence, and the Chief Minister’s leadership was under intense national scrutiny.

Despite the efforts of the BJP governments at both the state and central levels, the violence has continued unabated, with little progress made towards reconciliation between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

The BJP has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with accusations that it has failed to take decisive action to end the bloodshed and bridge the growing divide between the two communities.

The Commission of Inquiry, established by the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 4, 2023, is now tasked with investigating the implications of this recording and the broader circumstances of the violence in Manipur.

The recording, if authenticated, could have serious consequences for the Chief Minister, who is also the state’s Home Minister and head of the police. The recording suggests that the Chief Minister may have protected individuals involved in looting weapons from police armouries and shielded them from arrest, further deepening concerns about his impartiality and leadership.

The use of bombs and other explosive devices in the conflict has been documented by various sources, including press releases from the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and local media. The violence has involved both Meitei and Kuki militants, with reports of mortar bombs being used to target villages and infrastructure. The looting of state armouries has led to the proliferation of arms and ammunition among both communities, complicating efforts to restore order.

The recording also sheds light on the internal struggles within the Manipur government and the BJP regarding Biren Singh’s leadership. There have been calls for his removal from office, particularly from the Kuki community and opposition parties, as well as from within the BJP and its ideological parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The BJP’s poor performance in the 2024 general elections, where it lost both Lok Sabha seats in Manipur, has added to the pressure for a change in leadership.

Despite these challenges, Biren Singh has managed to hold onto his position, though his leadership has been increasingly questioned. The recording suggests that Singh sees himself as a leader of the Meitei community, even if this means taking actions that further polarize the state.