In a significant meeting focused on regional stability and development recently Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh met his Assam counterpart, Himanta Biswa Sarma, in Guwahati on Saturday. The two leaders discussed various matters concerning the security and development of the North East region, with a particular focus on the welfare of the Manipuri community residing in Assam. Actually Biren Singh flew to Guwahati from Imphal on Friday evening, January 5, 2024, for the meeting. In reality sources indicate that the Manipur Chief Minister carried a message seeking cooperation in finding a solution to the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which has claimed over 200 lives since May 3, 2023. In fact taking to Twitter, Biren Singh described the meeting as a “pleasure” and acknowledged the discussions on regional security and development.
Actually he further highlighted the focus on initiatives for the well-being of Manipuris living in Assam, a community estimated at 168,127 strong according to the 2011 census. In fact the meeting holds significant importance considering the long- standing historical connection between the two States. Manipuris, specially the Meitei people, have resided in the Barak Valley of Assam since 1757, fleeing persecution in the princely State of Manipur. Recently, over 61,000 people remain displaced within Manipur, residing in 350 relief camps across the state.