Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday questioned Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP president Conrad K. Sangma’s understanding of Manipur’s challenges, prompting a sharp response from the state’s NPP unit.

In a lengthy post on X, Biren Singh flagged two key issues: the late P.A. Sangma’s advocacy for smaller states and Conrad Sangma’s alleged interference in Manipur’s internal affairs. He also shared a 43-second video from 2014 in which P.A. Sangma, a former Lok Sabha Speaker, spoke in favor of creating smaller states in the Northeast. In the clip, Sangma is heard listing demands for separate states, including Gorkhaland, Kamtapur, Bodoland, Karbi Anglong, Garoland, Dimasa, and Kukiland.

Although it is unclear what triggered Biren’s post, sources suggest tensions have been high between the two leaders since the NPP withdrew support for the BJP-led Manipur government on November 17 last year. In his post, Biren criticized P.A. Sangma’s stance, calling it a “dangerous idea” that threatened national unity. He alleged that similar attempts were now being made to destabilize Manipur by interfering in its internal affairs.

Biren further highlighted efforts taken by his government to protect Manipur’s indigenous communities, including the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), border fencing initiatives, and stricter regulation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR). He accused those feeling “threatened and insecure” by these developments of instigating violence in the state. Without directly naming Conrad Sangma, Biren warned against external meddling, stating that Manipur’s experiences should serve as a lesson, not a platform for political posturing. He urged outsiders to refrain from encouraging illegal immigration or disrupting the state’s delicate social balance.

Responding on X, Conrad Sangma expressed disappointment over Biren’s remarks, particularly the reference to his late father. He described P.A. Sangma as a strong advocate for the rights of the Northeast’s people and emphasized that the focus should be on restoring peace in Manipur rather than engaging in political rhetoric.

State NPP president and former deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh also reacted, saying Biren’s post took them by surprise. He asserted that the NPP has never demanded smaller states and remains committed to Manipur’s territorial integrity. Joykumar dismissed Biren’s allegations as an attempt to malign the party by falsely associating it with demands for Kuki-Zo separation. He suggested that Biren was fearful of the NPP’s growing influence ahead of the next Assembly elections, calling his remarks a futile attempt to damage the party’s reputation.