March 31, 2025: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has launched a veiled attack on Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, indirectly accusing him of interfering in Manipur’s internal affairs.
In a post on X, Biren tagged Conrad Sangma while sharing an old video of late P.A. Sangma, the father of the Meghalaya CM, advocating for the creation of smaller states along ethnic lines on the floor of Parliament.
Biren strongly criticized such ideas, calling them “dangerous” and a threat to national unity.
He alleged that recent attempts to destabilize Manipur were linked to those who feel “threatened” by the state’s progress, particularly in implementing protective measures like the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
“The present crisis is not political at its core. It stems from a complex mix of challenges: the drug menace, illegal immigration, destruction of forests, and the systematic pursuit of power by select groups,” Biren stated in his post.
In what appeared to be a direct message to Conrad Sangma, Biren asked whether the Meghalaya CM was aware that Manipur had already started border fencing and tightened restrictions on the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
He also raised concerns about the rise of unrecognized villages within Manipur, indirectly suggesting that external forces might be encouraging illegal immigration.
“It must be noted that when Manipur was facing these serious challenges, others refrained from interfering in our internal affairs. The same courtesy was expected, yet some chose a different path, one driven by narrow interests rather than genuine concern,” Biren wrote.
With Manipur being home to 32 indigenous tribes, Biren called for greater vigilance, urging leaders to refrain from actions that could disrupt the state’s delicate ethnic balance. “The people of Manipur have endured enough. Let us live in peace,” he concluded.
