Apology is not enough, CM must resign : CPI

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 2: The CPI Central Office has asserted that the apology expressed by Chief Minister N Biren is not enough and he must step down.
The apology expressed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh after such a long time is an admission of the gravity of the crisis and the complete failure of his Government to address the issues and challenges of the people in Manipur, said a press release issued by the CPI, Central Office.
It is also an admission of complete collapse of law and order. The crisis in Manipur highlights the absolute breakdown of governance, it said.
The State Government has failed to maintain law and order, protect citizens, and ensure justice, leading to widespread suffering and insecurity, it said.
The State Government has failed to take meaningful steps toward reconciliation. There have been no concrete measures to foster dialogue between communities or heal the deep social wounds inflicted by the ongoing crisis, the CPI Central Office asserted.
It added that the Government has shown no willingness to take political parties into confidence or involve them in finding a comprehensive political solution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued refusal to visit Manipur and directly address the crisis demonstrates his lack of concern for the people of the State. This failure of the Union Government has further eroded trust and exacerbated the situation, it said.
“The CPI firmly believes that the people of Manipur deserve accountable and empathetic governance, which Chief Minister Biren Singh and his Government have utterly failed to provide. His resignation is imperative for restoring confidence in the administration and paving the way for a fresh, people-centric approach to resolving the crisis”, it said.
The Left party also reiterated its solidarity with the people of Manipur and called for a united effort to achieve justice, peace and reconciliation in the State.
On December 31, the Chief Minister had apologised for the ethnic conflict in the State which has claimed more than 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless and appealed to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and start afresh.