The apology by Manipur’s Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, over the ongoing crisis in the state has sparked mixed reactions. The apology was a significant gesture in finally acknowledging the suffering of the people, but many feel that an apology alone is insufficient in addressing the magnitude of the crisis that continues to ravage the state. On the last day of the year, Singh expressed “regret” and “apologised” for the ethnic strife that has gripped his state since May 3, 2023, leaving at least 258 dead and thousands homeless. “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,” he said while addressing a press conference. Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence since May 2023, following tensions between the Meitei community, which predominantly resides in the valley, and the Kuki-Zomi tribes living in the hill areas. Apart from the deaths and displacement, the violence has left a deep sense of mistrust between the two communities; the violence has been exacerbated by political mismanagement and ineffective law enforcement. Both state and central authorities have been accused of failing to prevent the escalation of the conflict, and the lack of timely intervention has left the population in despair.
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While the chief minister’s apology and call for peace and harmony between the warring communities may serve as a symbolic step toward acknowledging the pain of the affected, it raises critical questions about accountability and real solutions. For many in Manipur, an apology, though appreciated in sentiment, fails to address the systemic issues that have led to the crisis. The roots of the violence lie in deeper political and social divisions that cannot be healed with words alone. Furthermore, the response to the crisis has been slow and disjointed, with inadequate relief measures and a lack of visible government action. The state government’s efforts to mediate peace between the communities have been viewed as ineffective, and many feel that the apology comes too late, after months—20 to be precise - of violence and unrest. Perhaps more concerning is the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the face of the ongoing crisis. Despite the severity of the situation, Modi has yet to visit Manipur or make a public statement directly addressing the crisis. The prime minister’s absence has led to widespread feelings of neglect among the people of the state, many of whom are calling for the central government to step in and take more decisive action.
Manipur’s situation requires far more than apologies and symbolic gestures. What is needed is immediate intervention, not just from the state government but from the Centre as well. The prime minister must visit the state to directly assess the situation, engage with affected communities, and show a commitment to ending the violence. Concrete actions, such as a thorough investigation into the causes of the conflict, the prosecution of those responsible for the violence, and the implementation of policies to address ethnic grievances, are crucial steps toward rebuilding trust and peace, and to ensure that the crisis is resolved and that the people of Manipur are no longer left to suffer in silence.