Biren Singh Slams Oppn For 'Politicising' His Apology Over Manipur Violence: 'Why Say Sorry To Terrorists?'

Biren Singh said that those who are indulging in politics over his apology are seeking unrest in the state and that he saw no reason to apologise to those engaged in the acts of terror.  

File photo of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Source : PTI

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday stated that his recent apology over the ethnic violence in Manipur was directed to the victims of the state and not "terrorists". A few days ago Singh had issued an apology to the people of Manipur who have been suffering and were displaced due to the ongoing violence as he reiterated his call to "forgive and forget' and hoped for peace in 2025.

Following his apology, the opposition parties began demanding his resignation, saying that the apology was not enough. Reacting to this, the Manipur CM has now slammed the opposition, accusing it of politicising his apology. He said that those who are indulging in politics over his apology are seeking unrest in the state and that he saw no reason to apologise to those engaged in the acts of terror.  

"Those who are indulging in politics over my statement are seeking unrest. The opposition has no ideology. What I said was an expression of sadness and grief...My apology was to those who have been suffering and have lost their loved ones. Why should I say sorry to terrorists? I am saying sorry to the innocent people and those who were displaced from their homes," Singh said on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of former Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the Manipur governor.

He alleged that "the opposition will say the sun is the moon" and stressed, "Those indulging in politics over the statement are the ones seeking unrest."

Biren Singh Apologises Over Manipur Violence

On December 31, Chief Minister Biren Singh apologised to the people of Manipur who have suffered during the 20-month-long ethnic violence that claimed over 250 lives. However, he faced criticism by the opposition that called his apology inadequate and demanded action to restore peace in the northeastern state.

"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 this and want to apologise. However, after witnessing relative peace over the last 3-4 months, I hope that normalcy will be restored in the coming year," the Manipur CM had said. 

"Whatever happened has happened. I want to appeal to all communities to forgive and forget our past mistakes and start life afresh by living together in a peaceful and prosperous Manipur," he added.

Just hours after Singh's apology, the Congress hit out at the BJP, asking why Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot visit Manipur and apologise to the people there.

The party leaders also said that Biren Singh's apology was insufficient, which the latter countered as a "sincere act of expressing grief".

'Shows Centre's Serious Concern': Biren Singh On Bhalla's Appointment

On th appointment of Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the Manipur governor, Singh on Friday said: "Appointing one of the most intelligent and competent persons as the governor of Manipur during this time shows serious concern of the central govt in resolving Manipur issues. I know Ajay Kumar Bhalla, he is well-experienced and held many important positions in the central govt, mainly the Home Department. He knows about the Manipur issue very well..."

#WATCH | Manipur CM N Biren Singh says, "Appointing one of the most intelligent and competent persons as the governor of Manipur during this time shows serious concern of the central govt in resolving Manipur issues. I know Ajay Kumar Bhalla, he is well-experienced and held many… https://t.co/jYpKusrvP9 pic.twitter.com/n0gsrjWNKg

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