Most people grasp and agree with the meaning of the old saying: “Failure are pillars of success.” However, it seems failures are the pillars of more failures for Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the Bharatiya Janata Party in Manipur in quelling the ongoing conflict in Manipur. First, the grandiose proclamations made by BJP, calling Mr Biren as “able Chief Minister” of Manipur failed to prevent the fire that ignited in Churachandpur, leading to engulfing the entire state. Then, Mr. Biren, who is known for his witty comments and reply on Facebook posts and infamous for action against people who criticised him and his government on social media sites, banned the internet completely for the public in a bid to control the violence on May 4. However, it failed to control the clash. The first engine of the self-proclaimed “Double Engine BJP Government in Manipur” failed.
As his plan A failed, Mr. Biren knocked on the door of his boss, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for help. Then, red carpets were rolled out of Shah who arrived for a three-day visit in Manipur to assess the situation. The most anticipated visit could not help in dousing the fire.Shah’s bid to bring peace failed. With the failure of the second engine of BJP Government, Mr. Shah and Mr. Biren were out of options, so the former resorted to an all-party meeting in New Delhi to hear suggestions and opinions from the representatives of different parties. A day after the all party meeting, N Biren Singh went to Delhi, to meet Mr. Shah again with MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th. Satyabrata, to get schooled on how to douse the fire in Manipur.
Media persons from newspapers to TV to digital media thronged the Imphal International Airport, with the hope that the Mr. Biren and Co. would bring an antidote for the current turmoil. Not only did the journalists await good news, people across the state yearned for a solution to the current problem. However, his statements narrating about his meeting with Mr. Shah and their discussions, appear to be pouring more oil to the fire withCongress party now targets him for his statement, in which, he expressed that Mr. Shah wanted him to control the situation in the valley, while Mr. Shah would control the situation in the hill areas. His speech is seen by many as divisive way of controlling Manipur, of which, his is the chief minister.
Biren went on the underline the need to take action against those people in valley areas for dodging the law and order situation and resorting to targeting residences of Union Minister, Ministers, collectively, lawmakers of the state. Mentioning about the current situation, he mostly stressed the importance of controlling the violence and arson in valley, and seemed to have neglected to opine about the situation in hills. Given his speech, one most important question that arises is: Is Biren the CM of entire Manipur or just for the valley areas? Well, his statements seem to have invited ire from all section of the society and, especially, from people living in the valley. Looking back to all the unsuccessful efforts made by Biren and co. till yesterday, all seemed failed miserably, without an iota of hope.
Notwithstanding the incapability of Biren and BJP and since Manipur violence continues to grapple with the horror of violence and disharmony, it is time for introspection and soul-searching. The people of Manipur yearn for genuine leadership, for individuals who possess the wisdom, compassion, and resilience to guide them through these turbulent times. Only the collective effort of the people of Manipur can overcome his dark chapter we all have witnessed in the time of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.