IMPHAL, Jan 3: Amid ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh clarified on Friday that his apology, made three days earlier, was intended solely for the victims. He reiterated his call for forgiveness, dialogue, and efforts to restore peace in the state. Singh emphasized that his apology was an expression of sadness and grief for those suffering and for those who had lost loved ones in the violence.
“What I said was totally an apology… expressing my sadness and grief for the victims…those who are suffering and lost loved ones,” Singh stated, responding to the Opposition Congress’s criticism of his apology. The Congress had demanded his resignation, stating that the apology came “too little, too late,” and that the real issue was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter, having not visited Manipur for 19 months.
Singh explained that his apology was made on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing, “I am saying sorry to them (the victims) not to anybody else. Why should I say sorry to terrorists? I am saying sorry to those innocent people, who have lost their loved ones or were displaced.”
Since May 2023, ethnic violence between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis has left at least 260 people dead and displaced around 50,000. Singh has faced intense criticism for his administration’s inability to bring an end to the violence. Despite calls for his resignation, Singh has rejected the demands, asserting that his focus remains on restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
On the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the new Manipur Governor, Singh expressed confidence that Bhalla, whom he described as a good and dynamic person familiar with the region, would help bring stability to the state. Singh also conveyed his wishes for peace to all communities in the state, urging everyone to forgive, forget, and work together toward a permanent solution. “Past is past. We should sit together… bring a permanent solution. Our priority should be restoring peace,” Singh stated.
The violence, which has intensified since its onset in May 2023, saw a brief lull before fresh clashes erupted in November. While Meitei groups have largely welcomed Singh’s apology, calling it a positive step toward peace, Kuki-Zo groups have rejected it, accusing Singh of using the apology as an attempt to absolve himself and as outreach to the Meitei community. They also criticized Singh for failing to address the broader issues at the heart of the violence.
