Former CM N. Biren Singh urges Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to back a security operation against armed groups and confine SoO cadres to designated camps for two to three months.
Imphal, Sept. 24: Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to support firm security action against armed groups and unauthorised weapons, saying the continuing violence in the hill areas could worsen unless decisive measures are taken.
Biren Singh met Governor Bhalla at Lok Bhavan in Imphal on Thursday and discussed the recent violence in the hill districts. He later told reporters at his Luwangsangbam residence that he had proposed a statewide security operation against armed groups operating outside existing agreements and arrangements.
The former Chief Minister said the recent violence, including the burning of houses and killing of civilians, required an immediate response from both the State and Central governments. Recent reports have also described Biren's proposal as including verification and temporary confinement of cadres covered by Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements and groups engaged in peace talks.
Biren said cadres covered under SoO arrangements and those involved in peace talks should first be physically verified and kept in government-recognised designated camps for an initial period of two to three months. He proposed that their weapons be kept secured during this period.
Called on Hon’ble Governor Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla Ji today and discussed some of the core issues concerning peace and security in Manipur. During the meeting, I stressed four key points:
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) September 24, 2026
1. Cadres under SoO and other peace arrangements, should be properly verified, along with… pic.twitter.com/YJyjvJV3wl
According to Biren, the government should verify the present strength of cadres against the numbers covered by the respective agreements. He cited about 2,180 Kuki cadres under SoO arrangements, while putting the strength of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) group at around 1,400 and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) at about 300. These figures were presented by him as part of his assessment of the current strength of the groups.
Biren argued that restricting verified cadres to designated camps and securing their weapons would help identify armed groups operating outside the existing arrangements. He said security forces should then act against those found to be carrying illegal weapons or operating outside the recognised agreements.
He described such action as a necessary step to address the continuing violence and said armed individuals operating outside the arrangements should be made to surrender or be arrested. He also referred to military operations against those who continue to operate illegally.
Biren linked the security situation to the continuing displacement of people affected by the conflict. He said that unless the violence in the hills was brought under control, the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original homes would remain difficult.
He also called for efforts to facilitate the return of displaced people from both the hills and valley. According to him, restoring security would allow communities to travel and return to their respective areas without fear.
Biren further reiterated his support for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying identification of residents and action against illegal immigrants should form part of the broader process of restoring normalcy.
The former Chief Minister also appealed against community-based political divisions. He said people in the valley should not remain indifferent to violence in the hills, arguing that the entire state must be treated as a shared responsibility.
Biren said political leaders at the Centre and in the State should take a firm and coordinated decision on the ongoing conflict rather than relying on temporary measures. He also urged communities to work together for a lasting resolution.
The Governor, according to Biren's account of the meeting, listened to the proposals and assured him that the issues would be raised with the Union Home Ministry for discussion and further action. Reports on the meeting also said Bhalla was apprised of the security situation in the hill districts and Biren's proposals concerning SoO and peace-talk cadres.
Biren's latest proposals come amid continuing concerns over violence in the hill areas. His meeting with the Governor follows earlier occasions on which he has urged authorities to disarm people possessing illegal weapons and address the security situation as part of efforts to restore peace.
