Sorry for loss in ethnic clashes, hope normalcy returns in 2025: Manipur CM Biren Singh

Biren Singh

Terming the happenings in Manipur over the past year as 'unfortunate', chief minister Biren Singh expressed regret over ethnic clashes that engulfed the state since May 2023.

2024 was yet another year of turmoil in Manipur. The divide between the Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki tribes in the hills deepened in 2024, triggering human casualties, widespread violence, mob attacks and drone strikes on civilian areas.

The chief minister expressing remorse over large scale displacement and violence in the state, said: "Many people left their homes. I feel regret. I apologise. But now, I hope after seeing the last three to four months progress towards the peace, I believe by 2025, the normalcy will be restored in the state.” Singh was addressing the press in Imphal.

For the first time, the ethnic violence, previously confined to Imphal valley and surrounding districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and Moreh border town in Tengnoupal district, took a new turn when a man was found dead in Jiribam district bordering Assam in June.

The state also witnessed a new kind of warfare when suspected Kuki youths dropped drone-operated bombs at Koutruk village and nearby Senjam Chirang in Imphal West district on September 1, leading to the death of a woman and injuring nine.

On May 3, 2023, members of the Kuki and Naga tribes, who inhabit Manipur's hills and are regarded as Scheduled Tribes, or India's most disadvantaged groups, launched a protest against the possible extension of their benefits to the dominant Meiteis.

Manipur shares a nearly 400-km (250-mile) border with Myanmar and the coup there in 2021 pushed thousands of refugees into the Indian state. Kukis share ethnic lineage with Myanmar's Chin tribe and Meiteis feared they would be outnumbered by the arrival of the refugees.