Imphal (Manipur) [India]: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh issued an emotional apology on Tuesday for the ongoing crisis in the state, which has claimed approximately 200 lives and displaced thousands. Singh urged the people of Manipur to “forget the past” and focus on building a peaceful and prosperous future as the New Year 2025 approaches.
Reflecting on the violence that erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities after the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) rally on May 3, 2023, Singh expressed deep regret for the turmoil. The rally followed a Manipur High Court order directing the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list.
“This entire year has been very unfortunate. I feel regret and I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what has been happening since May 3. Many people lost their loved ones, and many left their homes. I really feel regret. I would like to apologise,” Singh stated.
Call for Reconciliation
The Chief Minister appealed to all communities in Manipur to move past the violence and begin anew. “Now, I hope after seeing the last 3-4 months’ progress towards peace, I hope that with the New Year 2025, normalcy and peace will be restored in the state. I want to appeal to all communities that whatever happened has happened. We now have to forget past mistakes and start a new life—a peaceful Manipur, a prosperous Manipur, where we should all live together,” he said.
Crisis Statistics and Government Measures
Providing updates on the crisis, Singh disclosed:
- Casualties: Approximately 200 lives lost.
- FIRs Registered: Around 12,247.
- Arrests: 625 individuals.
- Arms and Ammunition Recovered: About 5,600 weapons and 35,000 rounds of ammunition.
The Chief Minister commended the progress in tackling the issues and acknowledged the central government’s support. “The central government has provided enough security personnel and funds to help the displaced families and construct new houses for them,” he added.
Appeal for Peace in 2025
As the state continues its journey toward recovery, Singh’s apology and appeal for unity serve as a significant step toward reconciliation. He emphasized the need for collaboration among communities to ensure peace and prosperity for Manipur in the coming year.