JE News Desk:  Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday disclosed the reason why he had initially decided to step down from his post amid the ongoing violence in the state before he made up his mind to continue in office.

In an interview with ANI, N Biren Singh on Saturday said, "I saw effigies of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah being burnt at a few places in the state, saw attempts of attack on BJP office. What the Centre did for Maipur and we did for Manipur in 5-6 years, I doubted if we have lost the trust of people. Thinking about this made me feel bad... the abusive language was used by a small group against me a few days back at a market. It didn't feel good...So, I decided this."

“A leader can't be a leader without public confidence. I feel good that after I stepped out (of the CM house), there was a huge crowd on the streets. They cried and showed me their trust in me. This proved my thoughts (of doubts) wrong) because the people still stood in my support. They told me not to resign. If they tell me to resign, I will; if they tell me not to, I won't”, he said.

Earlier, on June 30, Biren Singh clarified that he will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister following a high-voltage drama outside his residence where a large crowd of people gathered outside his residence urging him not to step down. MLA Leishangthem Susindro Meitei apparently read the resignation letter of the Chief Minister which was torn apart by the women supporters standing beside him. He was stopped from heading to the Raj Bhavan by his supporters.

"At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister,'' he tweeted.

Manipur CM also said reacted to the Opposition's attack on him questioning his 'failure in maintaining law and order in the state.

He said, "Those who are levelling allegations, like Congress - we are eating the poison fruits, seeds of which were sowed by them...The entire world knows whose mistake was it...The ethnic clash between Kuki and Meitei continued for 2-3 years, there were losses & deaths. That is why, the Kuki militants rose at that time...they were given a free run from 2005-2018, for 13 years. That is why this is happening..."

Meanwhile, in the same interview, on prevailing violence in the state, Manipur CM said the govt is making all efforts, at all levels, to restore peace.

"A few hours ago, I spoke with our Kuki brothers and sisters over the telephone that let's forgive and forget; reconcile and live together like we always have...The government has only tried to screen the people coming from outside in the wake of Myanmar turmoil and send them back once the situation improves. Our priority is to restore peace & normalcy in Manipur," he said.

He also urged the people of Manipur to stand together in these testing times. He said, "We are one. Manipur is a small state but we have 34 tribes. All of these 34 tribes have to live together...We just have to be careful that not many people from outside should come and settle here so that there is no demographic imbalance...As the CM, I promise you I won't allow Manipur to break or allow separate administration. I will sacrifice to keep everyone as one."