Around 19 months after the violence that scarred the lives of people in the state, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday said "sorry" to the victims.
Pointing out that the entire year has been "very unfortunate", Singh said he is feeling regret and want to say sorry to the people of the state for what happened since May 3, 2023.
VIDEO | Here’s what Manipur CM N Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) said during a press conference in Imphal.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 31, 2024
“This entire year has been very unfortunate. I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what's happening till today since last May 3. Many people lost their loved ones.… pic.twitter.com/kzjTFjZycA
"Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I really feel regret. I would like to apologise," Singh said.
Recalling the progress towards peace achieved in the last three to four months, the CM expressed hope that normalcy will be restored in Manipur in the new year.
"I want to appeal to all the communities of the state that whatever happened has happened," Singh said, asking the people to forget past mistakes and start a new life.
The CM went on to say, "A peaceful Manipur, a prosperous Manipur, we should all live together."
More than 250 people from the Meitei and Kuki communities have been killed since May 2023. The protests first erupted over Meiteis demanding Scheduled Tribe status.
The latest statement comes three days after the CM condemned "cowardly and unprovoked attack" by Kuki militants in Imphal East's Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi areas and called for calm and unity in the face of challenges. Calling it an assault on peace and harmony, he said the government had deployed adequate security personnel to the affected areas.
