Manipur CM apologises for ethnic conflict, urges all communities to ‘forget, forgive’ past mistakes
IMPHAL, DEC 31 : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state which claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless, and appealed to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and live together in a peaceful and prosperous state.
Addressing reporters here, Singh claimed that there has been relative peace in the state in the last three-four months, which gives him hope that normalcy will be restored in the new year.
“I want to say sorry for what happened in the state. Many people lost their loved ones and many had to leave their homes. I regret and want to apologise. But after seeing relative peace in the last three-four months, I hope that normalcy will be restored in the coming year,” he said.
“Whatever happened has happened…I want to appeal to all communities to forgive and forget our past mistakes and start life afresh by living together in a peaceful and prosperous Manipur,” CM Biren added.
Singh said firing incidents have declined in the state over the last 20 months since the ethnic conflict began in May 2023.
“From May to October, 2023, 408 firing incidents were reported. From November 2023 to April 2024, there were 345 firing incidents, whereas from May this year till now, 112 firing incidents were reported,” he said.
According to him 5,600 arms and 35,000 ammunitions were recovered.
The chief minister further said that 625 people have been arrested and 12,047 FIRs registered so far.
“There is a good progress in tackling the issue. Centre provided enough security personnel and funds to help the displaced families. Altogether 2,058 families with a population of 7,549 persons have been resettled,” Singh said.
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh addresses a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
‘Human casualties, widespread violence…’: 2024 has been a year of turmoil for Manipur
Meanwhile, several Kuki women were injured on Tuesday when central armed police forces (CAPF) allegedly used force to disperse women protestors at Saibol village in the Kangpokpi district. The trouble began when the local women allegedly resisted the “forceful occupation of community bunkers” by the central forces.
Condemning the assault, the women wing of Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum claimed more than 30 women were injured during their “peaceful protest against the violence in Saibol-Twichin area of Kangpokpi district”. The organisation demanded that CAPF immediately cease its “intrusive operations” and allow the people to 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 organisation further stated.
-PTI
