Manipur violence: ‘Misunderstanding, communication gap between two communities,’ says CM N Biren Singh

"Long term grievances of different communities will also be suitably addressed in due course in consultation with the people and their representatives," Singh said in a video statement issued on Thursday.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh (File)

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Following violent clashes in several parts of Manipur on Wednesday night, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the incidents were a result of a “prevailing misunderstanding between two communities” and appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the government to maintain law and order.

“We are committed to protect the lives and property of all our people. Long term grievances of different communities will also be suitably addressed in due course in consultation with the people and their representatives,” Singh said in a video statement issued on Thursday.

The clashes took place amid a protest rally organised by All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) against the demand for inclusion of the state’s Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive.

My humble appeal to everyone in the State to cooperate with the Government in maintaining peace & harmony at this hour. pic.twitter.com/qViqbuflWr

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) May 4, 2023

“We should not allow the culture of communal harmony in the state to be disturbed by vested interests,” Biren Singh said. “In this hour, I appeal to one and all to maintain peace and harmony in your respective areas. I ask you not to believe rumours and unverified messages.”

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He also thanked Mizoram Chief Minister for assuring his support.

Soon after violence broke out in different parts of the state, including Imphal, the Manipur government imposed a curfew in most of the districts and suspended mobile internet services in the entire state for five days with immediate effect from Tuesday.

In the video aired on regional news channels, Pawar purportedly speaks to Anjana Krishna, sub-divisional police officer, Karmala, from the phone of an NCP worker. (Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)

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