"Our narrative will not change" :::: Jiribam Hmar and Kuki leaders welcome 'resignation' of Biren Singh ... but insist the problems in Manipur more "between Kukis and Meiteis and not about one Chief Minister or not"

 David Haokip, spokesman of Jiribam-Tamenglong region Kuki Inpi, on Sunday evening welcomed the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Manipur but insisted that the major issue confronting the state of Manipur is not 'replacing' a Chief Minister. 

David and blogger: somewhere in Jiribam region 

Life has to go on : Kukis 

"Our narrative will not change," David said within hours the Chief Minister handed over his resignation to Governor Ajay Bhalla. 

"What we demand has nothing to do with a Chief Minister or another ..... Whether Chief Minister is Biren Singh or someone else ....what are our aims and objectives will remain the same. 

"Because what really happened with Kukis (and also  Hmars) in Jiribam region is that we are completely and geographically and economically we have been separated and isolated," he said.   

To a question he said: "What is going on rght now between Meiteis and Kukis has nothing to do with a Chief Minister". He further said: "Our political world will remain the same". 

Churavhandpur relief camp 

K Khuma, Jairon village authority member, whose  village was badly hit, welcomed the resignation but maintained that "Our issue is not about today's relationship about either continuing with or changing a Chief Minister".  

N Biren Singh handed over his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla amid buzz over a no-confidence motion and floor test by Congress. Most importantly, the resignation of the beleaguered Chief Minister came within weeks former Home Secretary Bhalla was appointed new Governor of the state.   

Most importantly, the resignation of the beleaguered Chief Minister came within weeks former Home Secretary Bhalla was appointed new Governor of the state. 

Meitei relief camp near Imphal 

The Meitei-Kuki conflicts started in May 2023 in Imphal-Churachandpur region. but Jiribam was untouched. But in June and later in November 2024 this region also witnessed violence. 

David Haokip, spokesman of Kuki Inpi Jiribam and Tamenglong region, says: "The outside elements were responsible for triggering the clashes...they have their own motives to fuel the crisis here". 

According to him the violence was kicked off to ensure 'Meitei domination' on the National Highway 37.

But in Jiribam region, the Meitei citizenry deny any such motive. The clashes actually happened accidentally, they insist. 

"It is time all of us should work for peace....," says a student leader at Jiribam. 

However, he counsels 'strangers and visiting journalists' to travel carefully beyond Lal Pani locality.

The hamlet Lal Pani and adjoining places are dominated by Bengali Muslims. But beyond it are two Kuki-dominated villages Sejang and Mongbung and hence his 'indications' are clear.