Manipur CM Defends Evacuation Amid Ethnic Violence

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh defended his government's decision to evacuate people from violence-hit areas like Churachandpur and Moreh to safer locations. Singh argued that the relocations were necessary to protect lives, despite facing criticism. Over 200 people have been killed and thousands displaced since ethnic violence erupted in May last year.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday defended his government's decision to evacuate people from ethnic violence-hit areas, including Churachandpur, Moreh, and Imphal, to safer locations.

Responding to opposition criticism, Singh argued that the relocations were necessary to protect lives. 'The night violence broke out (May 3), we couldn't sleep. We were in the office discussing immediate actions,' he said. 'Initially, those affected in Moreh were kept at an Assam Rifles camp and those in Churachandpur at the Secretariat. However, safety concerns necessitated their evacuation,' he explained.

'Questions have arisen about the relocations,' Singh acknowledged, 'but had we not taken action and faced incidents, it would have created different frustrations.' He noted that mobs of tens of thousands made it impossible to control the situation without escalating violence. Singh mentioned ongoing efforts to restore peace, citing the return of 133 displaced people in Jiribam.

Since ethnic violence erupted between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hills-based Kukis last May, over 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless.