Manipur CM's apology evokes mixed response

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh's apology on Tuesday over the ethnic strife in the state evoked mixed reactions, with Meitei groups welcoming it as a "positive step" while Kuki outfits maintaining it "remains short of taking full responsibility" for the violence.

- Thomas Ngangom

IMPHAL:

"I want to say sorry for what happened in the state. Many people lost their loved ones and many had to leave their homes. I regret and want to apologise," Biren Singh said while addressing a press conference in Imphal.

Since May 3, 2023, Manipur has been split by ethnic clashes between Meitei community, which is in majority in the Imphal Valley, and the tribal Kukis, who are dominant in hill districts. The violence has claimed at least 260 lives and rendered about 50,000 people homeless. "This is a positive step from the chief minister. Countless lives have been lost. The violence has been ongoing for the last 20 months. It is high time peace must return to the state," Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson of COCOMI, a joint body of Meitei civil society, said.