Biren Singh Must Be Prosecuted for Orchestrating Ethnic Violence in Manipur
– Girish Chodankar, AICC Incharge Manipur
In a significant development, Mr. Biren Singh, the former Chief Minister of Manipur, has resigned from his position. This resignation comes after relentless pressure from the Indian National Congress (INC) and its dedicated team in Manipur. Girish Chodankar, AICC Incharge for Manipur, stated that had this resignation occurred 22 months ago, it could have prevented the loss of countless lives, protected property, and spared the people of Manipur from enduring immense trauma.
Chodankar emphasized that the Congress Party was prepared to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Biren Singh-led government on the first day of the Assembly session. Additionally, the Speaker was set to take action on a disqualification petition filed by the Congress against nine MLAs. Faced with dwindling support and unsuccessful attempts to rally MLAs, the Chief Minister had no choice but to step down.
The Congress Party has demanded that Mr. Biren Singh be prosecuted for his alleged role in orchestrating ethnic violence in Manipur over the past two years. Chodankar asserted that Singh must be held accountable for allowing militant groups to operate freely, leading to widespread arson and violence against innocent civilians. He called for a thorough investigation into the entire episode, particularly in light of recently leaked audio tapes that allegedly implicate Singh in the violence.
“Every Manipuri affected by this turmoil deserves justice,” Chodankar said. “The Biren Singh-led administration has deeply divided Manipur, displacing its residents and causing emotional, social, and economic devastation. His government has rendered nearly one lakh people homeless and set the state back by 50 years.”
Throughout the crisis, the Congress Party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, has consistently advocated for the people of Manipur. The party has repeatedly highlighted the failures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Biren Singh to maintain peace and order in the state.
However, Chodankar stressed that Mr. Singh’s resignation alone is not enough to restore justice to the people of Manipur. “The Congress will not rest until we ensure that the voices of the victims are heard and justice is served,” he said.
Furthermore, Chodankar called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take responsibility for the violence, citing his failure to contain the situation. “The Prime Minister can no longer ignore the suffering of the people of Manipur. His continued silence is unequivocally unacceptable,” he added.
The Congress Party remains committed to fighting for justice and accountability in Manipur, ensuring that those responsible for the violence are held accountable and that the state can begin to heal from the devastation it has endured.
