Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh apologized to the people of the state and expressed “regret” for the caste violence that has taken place in the state since May 2023. The year 2024 was full of turmoil in Manipur. The conflict between the Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki tribal communities in the hilly areas deepened in 2024, leading to large-scale casualties, violence, mob attacks and drone attacks on civilian areas. The state, once known for its cultural harmony, is now facing deepening divisions, with thousands of people displaced and communities living in constant fear, while tensions show no sign of abating and the state has been largely divided over the past year. Peace remained far away.
News agency ANI quoted CM Biren Singh as saying, “This entire year has been very unfortunate. I regret and want to say to the people of the state that I want to apologize to the people of the state for whatever is happening from last May 3 till today. Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I am really sorry. I would like to apologize.”
Singh said, “Now, I am hopeful that after seeing the progress of the last 3-4 months towards peace, I am hopeful that with the new year 2025, normalcy and peace will be restored in the state. I want to appeal to all the communities that whatever happened, happened. We have to forget the past mistakes and start a new life for a peaceful Manipur.
Manipur violence
Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which was earlier confined to the Imphal Valley and surrounding districts, spread to the peaceful Jiribam district in June earlier this year.
The year 2024 started with a violent incident, when on January 1, four villagers were shot dead by activists of the banned People’s Liberation Army in Thoubal district. The incident was linked to a dispute over money collected from the illegal drug trade, due to which the state government imposed prohibitory orders in all five districts of the valley.
Caste violence in Manipur was earlier confined to the Imphal Valley and adjoining districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and the Moreh border town in Tengnoupal district, but in June the violence took a new turn when a man was found dead in Jiribam district bordering Assam. Took it.
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