CM says security lapses led to May 3 clashes
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 21 2023:
While appealing to the people not to blame the causes of the recent violence erupted in the state upon one another's communities, chief minister N Biren Singh ad-mitted that there were lapses in security and intelligence measures, which led to the communal clashes.
He, however, maintained that the unfortunate incidents erupted as a form of resistance and grievances towards the state government's activities.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Anti-terrorism Day, 2023 observance held at the main conference hall of Manipur Secretariat (South Block) on Sunday, the CM re-marked that the government initiated certain activities as part of its obligation to save the forest land, prevent influx of illegal immigrants and root out drug menace from the state but such initiative were not against any community.
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He, however, acknowl-edged that there were lapses in security and intelligence which led to the communal violence on May 3.Taking responsibility for the recent violence, he urged everyone not to blame upon other's community for the same and appealed to the public to put up their grievances, if any, to the gov-ernment, so that it could be addressed.
Biren further stated that the main focus of the govern-ment is to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Every community residing in the state are like family mem-bers and it is a part of life that family members sometimes quarrel with one another, he said, while stressing the need to put efforts hi try-ing to restore the love and brotherhood among different communities.
Expressing sadness over many people having to flee their homes to different plac-es outside the state such as Delhi, Guwahati and Mizoram fearing violence; he stressed the need to bring those peo-ple back to the state and make them stay in a safe place.
He even stated that the state government would bear their ticket fare for coming back to their home state and would ensure a safe place for them to reside.
The CM continued that all possible ef-forts had been made to restore peace and normalcy under the direct supervision of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He also spoke on the rescue of people of a particular community by people of another community, and expressed that people started rendering humanity service as the situation is returning to normalcy, though there was tension and enmity earlier.
He further appealed to the public not to organise any rally or protest or hold placards and banners which would hurt the sentiments of other communities.
Urging the public to have faith in the gov-ernment, he informed that essential items necessary for relief camps had been looked into, with a team of Ministers and MLAs visiting different relief camps.
Books are being distributed to students staying in relief camps and pregnant women are shifted to safer places, he added.
Speaking on the core idea of observing the Anti-terrorism Day, Biren maintained that the day is being observed across the country to condemn terror activities of every form and root it out.
He continued that terror activities happening in different parts of the world had caused many serious impacts and hardships to mankind and stressed the need to stand together against terrorism.
Delivering his presidential speech, Power minister Th Biswajit Singh stated that the Anti-terrorism Day observance reminds every citizen of the destruction and impacts caused by terror activities globally.
He then urged for all to stand together against terrorism and stated that the significance of the observance is spreading the message for maintaining peace, harmony and unity among people.
Speaking on the recent violence in the state, the minister opined that vested inter-ests and narrow mindedness had given rise to conflict and unrest.
He appealed to the public to forget and forgive what had already happened and to take part in restoring peace and tranquillity.
During the observance, the CM adminis-tered the Anti-terrorism Day pledge to all present at the venue.
A one-minute silence was also observed for all the losses incurred during the recent violence in the state.
The other highlight of the observance was the presentation of songs by Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College.
The programme was also attended by mm - isters, MLAs, chief secretary, senior civil and police officials among others.