Singh said his government intensified its “war on drugs” in its second term and the drive to detect illegal immigrants from Myanmar while clearing encroached reserve forests, measures which did not go down well with a section of people.Though he did not say it directly, Meitei groups have alleged that a section of Kukis were linked to poppy plantation in hilly areas inhabited by them and to protecting illegal immigrants who are of the same ethnic stock as they are.”Whatever I did was for the country, for the state. It was not for Biren,” Singh said, expressing concern over the use of reserve forests for poppy plantations and illegal settlements.Referring to his apparent bid to step down in June last year before he changed his mind after his supporters tore his resignation letter, Singh said he might have considered it at one point of time, wondering if he still had people’s trust but no longer does so.”Public is with me. Then why should I (quit),” he said.Though an uncertain calm has returned to the state, the two ethnic groups remain separated, wary of venturing into each other’s territories.’Full peace in six months’The Manipur CM has promised to fully restore peace in the state in six months with the Centre’s help, and revealed for the first time that he has appointed an emissary to hold talks with Kuki-zo and Meitei leaders.He identified the emissary as Dinganglung Gangmei, a Naga MLA and the chairman of the Hill Area Committee.Asked what kind of a deadline he has fixed for himself to restore peace, Singh indicated that along with dialogue, the Central government’s involvement—either through the home ministry or other agencies—will be critical in bringing peace.”I don’t think it will stretch long. Within 5-6 months, peace should return. It is our hope and I am also confident,” said Singh, who is a Meitei and remains largely mistrusted by the Kukis.During the interview, he repeatedly emphasised that he does not want to identify himself as a Meitei when he is sitting on the official chair. “I am chief minister of every community, be it Meiteis, Kukis or Nagas,” he said.While the Meitei-dominated Imphal appears fully normal, with streets buzzing with traffic and shops doing brisk business, the hills surrounding the capital’s flat valley terrain remains out of bounds for all except its Kuki inhabitants.Singh said the origins of the conflict go back to his first term as chief minister in 2017-2022, when he cracked down on illegal drug trade and migration from neighbouring Myanmar, whose border is only about 100 kilometres from Imphal.He implied that those hit by his crackdown conspired to destabilise his government and the state by fomenting Kuki-Meitei clashes.Kukis are mostly hill-dwelling Christian tribes, while Meiteis are Hindus living in the plains and valleys. Kuki tribes are also found in Myanmar.During the interview, conducted at his office, Singh showed satellite images to make the point that areas that were largely uninhabited in 2001 were teeming with population 15 years later. He claimed the pictures were evidence of illegal settlements, which were changing the demographics of the state.
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