Manipur CM Apologises For Ethnic Conflict, Calls For Peace In 2025

New Delhi: Expressing regret over the prevailing crisis in violence-hit Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday offered an apology to the people of the state for the turmoil that has plagued the region since May 2023.

Noting that the whole year has been very unfortunate, Singh said, “I feel regret and I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what is happening till today, since last May 3 … Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I really feel regret.”

The Manipur CM said he hopes that following the peace in the last 3-4 months, normalcy will be restored in the state in 2025. He appealed to the various communities in the state to “forget past mistakes and start a new life.”

“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 the communities of the state that whatever happened has happened. We now have to forget past mistakes and have to start a new life,” Singh was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

The violence that erupted in May 2023, driven by ethnic tensions between the Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki-Zo tribes in the hills, led to widespread unrest, displacement, and loss of life. The conflict, which deepened throughout 2024, saw over 250 fatalities and thousands rendered homeless, with reports of gunfights, arson, and even drone strikes targeting civilian areas.

The CM said the number of firing incidents has significantly reduced over the last several months, dropping from 408 between May and October 2023 to 112 in the past few months. “I want to apologise for what happened in Manipur, many lost dear ones, many left their homes,” he said.

The violence began with an attack on villagers in January and escalated during the general elections in April, marked by intimidation and widespread violence. The crisis reached new heights in June with a series of killings in Jiribam, a district bordering Assam, sparking further ethnic violence. As tensions mounted, a series of bombings and rocket attacks targeted civilian areas, leaving communities fearful and divided.