"Forgive and forget.... (past.... months of violence).." --- appeal from Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh : Tenders apology ::: Says Aadhaar-linked birth registration to be introduced from Jan 2025.

 Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh apologises for violence: Forgive and forget

Underscoring that Manipur was grappling with the issue of population influx, Singh said Aadhaar-linked birth registration would be introduced from January 2025.

He also said the government had ramped up efforts to identify illegal migrants entering the state without the required Inner Line Permit.

In the first phase, this initiative will be implemented in three districts. Birth registration will be made mandatory, and updates will be required every five years. "This initiative was taken after discovering a 420% population increase in the electoral roll in some districts of Manipur," he said.

Biren Singh, who has come under fire from the opposition over his handling of the violence, emphasised that peace was being restored in Manipur and hoped for restoration of normalcy in 2025.

"This entire year has been very unfortunate. I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what's been happening today, since last May 3. 

Many people lost loved ones. Many people left their homes. I feel regret. I apologise. But now, I hope, after seeing the last three to four months progress towards peace, normalcy will be restored in the state in 2025," CM Biren Singh said.

Manipur has been rocked by sporadic violence since May 3, 2023, between the majority Meiteis and the Kukis over quotas and economic benefits. 

The ongoing violence has killed over 200 people and displaced thousands.  

The Manipur Chief Minister on Tuesday apologised to the people of the state for the ethnic violence that has been occurring since May 2023, and appealed to all sections to "forgive and forget" the past. 

"Peace is being restored in Manipur, and the only solution lies in discussion and dialogue, which the Central government has already initiated," Biren Singh said.

The Centre has deployed forces in vulnerable zones bordering the hill and valley districts, leading to a dip in incidents of firing in peripheral areas.

Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Singh, who has come under fire from the opposition over his handling of the violence, emphasised that peace was being restored in Manipur.

DA HIKE FOR MANIPUR EMPLOYEES, AIRFARE SUBSIDIES

The Chief Minister also announced that the Dearness Allowance (DA) for Manipur government employees would be increased from 32% to 39%. He also stressed that the government, under various schemes, was prioritising assistance to displaced people affected by the violence.

"In the education sector, the government will begin awarding dedicated teachers in three categories: primary, graduate teacher, and lecturer. The awardees will benefit from double annual increments," he said.

To address the high airfares impacting residents, the Manipur government will launch Alliance Air services at affordable rates not exceeding Rs 5,000. "If airfares exceed Rs 5,000, the Manipur government will provide subsidies to passengers," he said.

The air service will operate twice a week on the Imphal-Guwahati, Imphal-Kolkata, and Imphal-Dimapur routes.

Water pipes were destroyed during conflict : Assam Rifles repairing (snap 2023)