Manipur needs immediate peace, understanding between two communities: CM

PTI, IMPHAL, DECEMBER 26, 2024 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday stated that the state, which has been in the grip of ethnic violence since May last year, needs immediate peace and appealed to the two communities involved to reach an understanding. Speaking at a Good Governance Day program at the state BJP headquarters here, Singh emphasized that the saffron party can save the northeastern state, as it believes in the idea of living together.

"What is happening in Manipur today has many reasons. Today, those who have been trying to divide the state are asking what the government is doing... they are hungry for power," Singh said. The Chief Minister noted that several initiatives, such as 'Meeyamgi Numit' (People's Day), which aims at bringing the people and officials closer, have been rolled out.

"We are not against any particular community. The stand of the BJP is clear. We believe in the idea of living together. We have already started to build relations between the police and the people," he added.

Singh stated that the state government is working hard to address the needs of internally displaced people by forming committees at various levels of the administration. He also claimed that immediate solutions are being provided to the displaced, particularly in the areas of education and agriculture.

"We have never committed any wrong. We only wanted to save future generations. The two communities need to be calm. Instead of looking at the past, we need to focus on the upcoming NRC process, capturing biometrics, and using 1961 as the base year for the Inner Line Permit," Singh said.

"We will continue our work democratically and constitutionally. This will take time. What we need now is immediate peace and an understanding between the two communities, which have misunderstood each other," he added.

Since May last year, ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups in Manipur has led to the deaths of more than 250 people and displaced thousands.

"Only BJP can save Manipur... BJP leaders have a sense of nationalism and social justice. They do reality-based politics in the interests of the nation... if I am not given a ticket by the BJP, I will remain with the party," Singh stated.

The Chief Minister also highlighted several unity-themed projects initiated by the BJP government in the state. One such project is the Unity Mall, which will include stalls representing all ethnic groups in Manipur and will be built at a cost of more than Rs 140 crore.

Good Governance Day is observed on December 25 every year in honor of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Singh said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee is one of the leaders whose name is known worldwide. He started Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and is known for his vision for the development of the country... During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime, there have been surgical strikes, and these show the existence of a nation and the governance."

"Atal ji and several others have helped the BJP grow and built an image. We are only following what the elders have taught us. They taught us nationalism and to walk together with the public," he added.

Singh also mentioned that the border fencing is the responsibility of the Centre, and the Union government is taking it seriously, as there have been cases of infiltration along the India-Bangladesh boundary.