If suppose, Mr. N. Biren sit in the opposition bench, Will he support the Citizen Amendment Bill? This is what people from every nook and corner of the state have been asking. Late 90s when Manipur’s Territorial integrity was under threat due to the peace talk between a rebel group NSCN-I and the central government, the present Chief Minister of Manipur Mr. N.Biren Singh, then was the Editor of Imphal based newspaper Naharogi Thoudang , which have the motto “For the cause of Human Rights”, strongly advocated that no part of the Manipur’s boundary should be distorted to bring solution for a particular armed rebel group. Before he joined politics to contest the election in early 2000, Mr. Biren was the champion in addressing for the safety of the Manipur’s unity. He had many times put up issues about the illegal influx of migrants in the state and had always urged the then government for framing of a legislation to protect the indigenous people of the state. He was hard many times about the intrusion of the Manipur’s territories by the Myanmars’ authority and had always urged the government for a better connectivity.
Well these are history, the day he joint politics to contest election, everything see to be change. Mr. Biren along with R. T. Meinya were elected as a representatives of DRPP, a regional party formed after promising by holding axe at Bir Tikendrait park, from Heingang and Konthoujam Assembly constituency.
How Mr. N. Biren make adjustment with the Indian political system , and how he change form party to party to hold Ministerial portfolio, and how he left the Congress party he had taken major role to become the Chief Minister id another story. As the one time Chief Minister of Manipur Radhabinod Koijam had stated “Everything is possible in politics” this writing is not about criticizing about his frequent change of political party. This newspaper felt that changing strategy by changing party to serve the erstwhile kingdom is what a political party is supposed to do.
In March , 2016, When Mr. N. Biren Singh came to power, there was a jubilant cry among the right thinking people of the state. It was because people expect that the one time activist, journalist will certainly do something for the welfare of the erstwhile kingdom which was merged in the the Indian Union in a controversial way. Well and good, Manipur became a part of Indian Union. But the way Manipur become a part of the Indian Union seem not benefitted at all.
During the previous government led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh various issues plague the state. Students were not allowed to attend schools for many days due to band and blockade, the story of fake encounter killing still hunt, intrusion by Myanmar army in Manipur’s territory of India was the talk of the town. There were protest and bandh for most of the time, particularly during the moth of June July and August. Having said so, the character of the erstwhile kingdom was never compromise during those days.
Now When N. Biren Singh was elected and become the chief Minister accidentally, what has been expected have not been converted into action. Border issue is still not settled and instead the government is sided with the Central agency by using all means to make the wrong – Right instead of correcting. The pride of the erstwhile kingdom has been ruined telling the Indian people that Manipur was a part of the Hindustan during dwarka era.
Everybody knows that illegal influx of migrants has been a serious problem since the many decades. All Manipur Students Union had upraised regarding the matter and few years back people’s uprising force the state assembly to pass three Inner Line per related Bill, which flare up Churachandpur town. Now againt a Bill for protection of the Manipur Peoples’ (Protection ) Bill was passed by the state assembly but is still yet to get assent from the president. It was at this juncture that the Lok Sabha passed the Citizen Amendment Bill , 2016 on Jan 8.
The Bill not only disregards the secular character of the Constitution of India but is surly going to make Manipur a dumping ground for illegal migrants.
As of now Manipur is in no way protected by any legislation and anytime there are possibility that the Manipuri become minority in the near future.
Last word: We know the chief Minister is serious on this issue but is helpless as his opposition to the Bill would mean removing him from the chair of the top most. May be this might be the region that he tried every means to convince the people that the Bill will not come into force in the state of Manipur, which is in no way possible. It is the people that you are being elected make your stand firm understanding the sentiment of the people. Only then there will be no one who can throw you from your sit.
