My apology to violence-hit not militants: CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 03 2025: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday slammed opposition parties, saying that those who are indulging in politics over his apology to the violence-affected people are favouring unrest in the state.

The Chief Minister said that his government's priority is to restore peace and normalcy.

"My apology to those innocent people who have lost their lives in the violence but not for militants who died in the conflicts.

Many innocent people have lost their lives, many people have lost their loved ones.

I seek apology to them but not to militants," CM Biren responded to the media queries over the opposition parties' criticism of his move.

"Opposition leaders have no ideology and positive thinking for the betterment of Manipur," he said.

The Manipur Chief Minister on December 31 apologised for the "unfortunate developments" in the state due to the ethnic violence that started in May 2023."The year 2024 ended on an optimistic note.

We hope that peace and normalcy will return to the state in the New Year 2025, " he said.

"It is very unfortunate that many people have lost their loved ones, many people had to leave their homes and villages.

However, considering the positive developments during the past three to four months, I hope peace and normalcy will return to the state in the New Year 2025," the CM said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony of the new Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan, CM Biren said that he apologised, as he felt deep sorrow for the difficulties faced by the people during the conflict including loss of lives and shelter, leading to displacement.

"It is all about basic principles of humanity.

However, I never apologised to any terrorist and as such the opposition should stop trying to politicise my apology.

What the opposition wants is to prolong the violence and chaos," he retorted.

Biren further remarked that if there were any political advantage to be gained, the opposition would not blink an eye in claiming the "sun" is the "moon" .

Soon after the Chief Minister sought an apology for the ethnic violence on December 31, the opposition Congress and its ally Communist Party of India criticised him.

The opposition has said that the CM's apology was not enough and demanded his resignation for his "failure" to deal with the ethnic violence.

(With inputs from IANS) .

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