Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday (December 31) apologised to people of the state. He was speaking with media. He expressed hope that the new year will bring peace to the state that has been hit by communal violence over a year. He appealed to people of the state to ‘forget past mistakes’ and move ahead

“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…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.”

Violence in Manipur began in May last year (2023). The violence continued this year as well. Year 2024 began on a violent note as well. Four villagers in the state were gunned down by Peoples’ Liberation Army in Thoubal district. It is a banned outfit.

The incident prompted government to impose prohibitory orders.

Just next month, armed people stormed the house of Additional Superintendent of Police Moirangthem Amit Singh at Wangkhei Tokpam in Imphal East district. The property was vandalised.

Even the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 were held against the backdrop of intense ethnic tension and violence.

Opposition parties in state as well as on national level have accused BJP governments of ignoring the violence and not taking adequate steps to bring normalcy.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has slammed PM Modi on number of occasions on this issue.

Chandigarh: A purported conversation between gangster Goldy Brar and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Punjab’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Bikram Singh Brar, went viral on social media. In the audio clip, the gangster is threatening the police officer for “deploying” informers in his group. He asked the DSP to pull back all the informers from his gang.

However, the DSP gave the gangster a befitting reply and warned him to mend his ways. Notably, Goldy Brar is a key member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The DSP is a decorated police officer with five gallantry awards. He is a known encounter specialist.

In the nine-minute audio clip, the police officer refuted the gangster’s allegation of deploying informers in his group. DSP Brar said that everybody is equal before the law and we will not spare anyone involved in illegal activities. “For us you or any gangster, dog or donkey are same,” the DSP said.

Goldy Brar, the son of a former Punjab police assistant sub-inspector, is believed to be in Canada. He is allegedly involved in the murder of famous Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022. Satinderjit Singh aka Goldy Brar was designated as a terrorist by the Union Home Minister on January 1, 2024. Apart from Moosewala’s murder, Goldy Brar is also facing many criminal charges in India.

A senior Punjab Police officer told The Times of India that the gangster called DSP Brar a few days ago. As per the police official, the audio clip was not released by the police, but it was made viral by the gangster. DSP Brara has not yet commented on the development.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the construction work of the police post near Jama Masjid in Sambhal and held Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responsible for creating a “dangerous environment” in Sambhal.

“The police chowki being made near Sambhal’s Jama Masjid is on waqf land, as the records show. Moreover, construction near protected monuments is prohibited under the Ancient Monuments Act. @narendramodi and @myogiadityanath are responsible for creating a dangerous environment in Sambhal,” Owaisi posted on X.

Earlier on Monday, Owaisi stated that there are empirical studies that have been done that clearly show that where you have a higher number of Muslims living in that place or locality or area, the government has failed to provide public services like hospitals, schools, colleges, etc.

He further added that a recent study has been done by Paul Lovosad of Dartmouth College and MIT, which clearly shows the amount of discrimination the governments have shown, especially the BJP government, in not providing public services.

He further highlighted the alarming dropout rates among Muslim women, low literacy rates, and limited graduates within the Muslim community, as well as pressing medical issues.

It is noteworthy that work is currently underway to build a police post in the vacant ground near Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed near the construction site to ensure security.

Meanwhile, Sambhal Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra on Monday said that the construction work of the police post near Jama Masjid in Sambhal is being done at a fast pace and will be ready in a few days.

This development comes after recent violence in the area, during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of a Mughal-era mosque last month, which led to four deaths and injuries among police and locals.