Biren Singh, who has drawn criticism from the opposition regarding his handling of the violence, made it clear that peace was coming back to Manipur and sought to restore normalcy in the state in 2025.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday apologized to the people of the state for the ethnic violence that has been occurring since May 2023 and appealed to all sections to “forgive and forget” the past. Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Singh, who has come under fire from the opposition over his handling of the violence, emphasized that peace was being restored in Manipur.
This whole year has been very unfortunate. I want to apologize to the state’s people for what’s happened today since May 3. Many people lost loved ones. Many people left their homes. I feel regret. I apologize. But now, I hope, after seeing the last three to four months progress towards peace, normalcy will be restored in the state in 2025,” Singh said.
Manipur has been shaken by sporadic violence since May 3, 2023, between the majority Meiteis and the Kukis over quotas and economic benefits. The violence has so far killed over 200 people and displaced thousands.
Biren Singh said that peace is being restored in Manipur, and the only solution lies in discussion and dialogue, which the Central government has already initiated.
The Centre has sent forces to vulnerable zones bordering the hill and valley districts, which has led to a dip in incidents of firing in peripheral areas.
The besieged Chief Minister says 2,058 families forced out of their original homes have been readmitted back home in Imphal West and Imphal East and districts of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. On the violence plaguing national highways, the State government has beefed up 17 and 18 additional companies of security men along NH-2 Imphal-Dimapur and NH-37 Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam.
Singh also claimed that of the 6,000 arms, ammunition, and explosives looted from state armouries, more than 3,000 arms have been recovered. He also said 625 miscreants have been arrested, and 12,247 FIRs have been registered.
