'CM for both Meiteis, Kukis': Biren digs in amid clamour

Embattled Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said on Thursday that he was the leader and protector of all communities in the state, except illegal immigrants and drug peddlers, swatting away suggestions that he should step down in light of the recent spike in violence because he had lost the trust of key groups and allies.

- Prawesh Lama

Singh's comments came days after the National People's Party (NPP) pulled out of his government amid mounting clamour for his ouster over the renewed churn in the restive state over the encounter killing of 10 suspected Kuki militants and the abduction and murder of six Meitei women and children.

Ethnic clashes in the northeastern state broke out first between the Meitei and the Kuki communities on May 3, 2023 and have since killed 240 people, engulfing almost every group. Since the early days of the conflict, Singh has resisted calls for his resignation, not just from the Kuki community - he is a Meitei - but also leaders within his own party.

"I am the elected chief minister of Manipur and represent all indigenous people of the state. Their local legislators too are members of the House, of which I am the leader. I am here to protect them but... I am not the CM of illegal migrants. I am not the CM of those who bring drugs into India," he said when asked if he had lost the confidence of the Kuki community.