"Unforgivable, he should resign": Congress' Sandeep Dikshit slams Manipur CM's apology amid ongoing crisis

New Delhi [India], January 1 (ANI): Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accusing him of failing to resolve the ongoing conflict in the state.
Speaking to ANI, Dikshit said, "We can understand if he tried to control the law and order situation in Manipur but couldn't resolve the conflict. But when a CM is found aggravating a conflict between two communities and taking sides, then it's unforgivable. If he truly thinks what he did was wrong, then he should resign."
Dikshit's remarks came after, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh On Tuesday apologized for the ongoing crisis in the state and urged people to "forget the past" and work towards a peaceful and prosperous future.
Following CM Biren Singh's apology, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh apologised for the ongoing 'crisis' in the state and questioned why the PM has not spoken on the Manipur issue yet.
Speaking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh said on Tuesday, "It has taken 19 months for the CM to say what he has said today, and it is not enough. The real issue is not what the CM says or does not say. The real issue is why, for 19 months, the PM has not spoken; he has travelled all over the country, but he has not found time to go to Manipur. The issue is not what this puppet CM says or does not say; the issue is why the PM is refusing to visit the state of Manipur and refusing to reach out to different communities of Manipur."
Reflecting on the crisis, the Manipur CM said, "This entire year has been very unfortunate. I feel regret and I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what is 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," he added.
Singh further appealed to the various communities in the state to "forget past mistakes and start a new life".
"Now, I hope after seeing the last 3-4 months' progress towards peace, I hope that with the New Year 2025, normalcy and peace will be restored in the state. I want to appeal to all the communities of the state that whatever happened has happened. We now have to forget past mistakes and have to start a new life. A peaceful Manipur, a prosperous Manipur, we should all live together," he said.
The violence in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023, against the Manipur High Court's directive to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. (ANI)