Biren Singh Meets Amit Shah, Seeks Extended Support for Peace, Govt Formation in Violence-Hit Manipur

12 June, 2025:

Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging his intervention to restore peace in the state and facilitate the formation of a popular government.

Singh, along with Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, had gone to New Delhi on Monday to brief central leaders about the current situation in the state where ethnic violence left at least 260 people dead and rendered thousands homeless since May 2023.

"We met Shah on the night of June 9. We held a meeting for over an hour again the next day. I apprised the home minister on various issues including bandhs, internally displaced persons and restriction on free movement along highways,” Biren Singh said.

Singh further said that the delegation placed special emphasis on the ongoing blockades, public unrest, and the sensitive nature of the ethnic tensions. He acknowledged that Amit Shah is currently engaging in multiple rounds of dialogue with various communities to address the conflict from all angles.

According to Biren Singh, the Home Minister has entrusted local stakeholders—including elected representatives, civil society organisations (CSOs), student unions, and women’s groups—with the responsibility of laying the groundwork for peacebuilding efforts. He emphasized that the Centre is encouraging all sections to engage in dialogue within a democratic framework.

The Centre had earlier held a meeting on April 5 with representatives of the warring Meitei and Kuki communities in a bid to pave the way for lasting peace in Manipur.

Responding to a query on illegal immigrants, Singh said, "I handed over a memorandum to Shah and urged him to extend the 30 days given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for identification of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh."

The MHA had issued the directive on May 19, asking all states and Union Territories to complete verification of individuals suspected to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar within 30 days. Those unable to furnish valid documents would be liable for deportation.