NEW DELHI, Dec 31: The Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh has apologised to the people of the State for the loss of hundreds of lives during the last 20 months of ethnic violence in the state.
On the eve of the New Year, he expressed the hope that 2025 would usher in a reign of peace and normalcy in Manipur. “I want to say sorry to the people of the State for what happened since May 3, 2023. Many people lost their loved ones, many left their homes. I really feel regret and would like to apologise through you to all natives,” he told journalists in the State’s capital Imphal on Tuesday.
Reacting to the CM’s apology, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not made any similar statement, or even found time to visit the conflict-ridden State.
Mr Singh claimed that the last three to four months had witnessed some progress towards peace. “Whatever happened has happened. We have to forgive and forget the past mistakes and make a new beginning for a peaceful and prosperous Manipur,” he said, adding that the “34, 35 recognised tribes” should live together in the future.
Even as the Chief Minister appealed for peace, several Kuki women were injured, allegedly during the Central armed police forces dispersal of protesters at Saibol village in Kangpokpi district. The women reportedly resisted the “forceful occupation of community bunkers” by the security personnel.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum condemned the “assault” and claimed that more than 30 women were injured during the “peaceful protest.” It asked the security personnel to cease their “intrusive operations” immediately and let the people celebrate the New Year in peace. “The government must stop being biased and take concrete steps to prevent such incidents and ensure that those responsible for the violence are held accountable,” the tribal organisation said in a statement.
In a social media post, Congress communications chief Mr Ramesh stressed that the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah also had to “bear responsibility” for the situation in Manipur. “Why can’t the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the same thing there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4th, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world,” Mr Ramesh said in a post on X. “The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect.”
The Congress leader also spoke to reporters about the CM’s apology, saying, “It has taken 19 months for the Chief Minister to say what he has said today. And it’s not enough. The real issue is not what the Chief Minister says or doesn’t say. For 19 months, the Prime Minister has not spoken. He has travelled all over the country, he has travelled all over the world, but he has not found time to go to Manipur. That’s the issue.”
The Chief Minister said more than 200 people had died in the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since the violence broke out in May 2023, while 12,247 first information reports were registered, and 625 accused were arrested. He felt that the recovery of 5,600 arms and 35,000 rounds of ammunition during this period pointed to “good progress” in tackling the issue.
“The Centre provided enough security personnel and funds to help the displaced families. Altogether 7,549 people of 2,058 families have been resettled,” he said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
