Apology addressed to victims, not to terrorists': Manipur CM

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Friday clarified that his recent apology over the ethnic violence in the state was directed at the victims, not "terrorists".

- HT Correspondent [e-mail]

IMPHAL:

"What I said was totally an apology expressing my sadness and grief towards the victims. Those who are suffering people, those who have lost someone and loved ones," Singh said on the sidelines of former Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla's swearing-in as the 20th Governor of Manipur at Raj Bhavan.

"I am seeking an apology from them on humanitarian ground. I'm saying sorry to them not to anybody else. Why should I say sorry to terrorists? No, I'm saying sorry to those innocent people who have lost their loved ones, who were displaced from their homes," he added.

The clarification came after opposition parties Congress and Communist Party of India (CPI) criticised Singh's December 31 apology as insufficient. The chief minister had earlier expressed regret about the ongoing ethnic conflict that has gripped the northeastern state since May 2023.

"This entire year has been very unfortunate. I feel regret and I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what's happening till today since last May 3... Many people lost their loved ones. Many people left their homes. I really feel regret. I would like to apologise to all the victims," Singh had said on December 31.