CM hits out at BJP baiters, vows united Manipur
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 01 2023: Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday launched a scathing attack on those who blamed the BJP for the ethnic strife in the state.

Addressing 'karyakartas' at the party's head office here on Friday, Biren said, "Over the past six months, I kept asking myself what fault did we commit? Was it a serious error to launch a campaign to identify illegal immigrants who otherwise would have swallowed the indigenous people of the state?" "Was it a fault to start a war on drugs to save the youths? Was it also a fault to have stopped the massive deforestation which only destroyed the natural beauty, but also led to emergence of new villages and widespread poppy cultivation?" he wondered.

"My conscience is clear.

I am not wrong.

BJP is not wrong.

The only fault of the BJP is to take up such initiatives to protect the indigenous people of the state," the CM asserted.

"If these steps had not been taken up by the party and the government, imagine the situation of the state a decade later," he said, adding, "BJP will work for a united Manipur" .

"There is no other party which can save the state's people," the CM said and emphasised on the work done by the BJP for the welfare of the people including implementation of Inner Line Permit and repeal of AFSPA from majority of valley areas of the state.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shah have given approval to fence around 100km of the Manipur section of the Indo-Myanmar border," Biren said and asked, "Which party or government had launched a biometric campaign to identify illegal immigrants.

The unrest we are seeing today is because of such campaigns being taken up".

On the recent peace deal between the Centre and an armed outfit, the chief minister stated that "Peace agreement was not an instant thing.

It took three to four years to such an agreement" .

Earlier in the day, CM Biren was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival from Delhi at Imphal International Airport on Friday.

The chief minister returned home after the historic signing of the peace pact between the Central government, the Manipur government, and an armed organisation, which is the state's oldest militant organisation, in Delhi.

CM Biren was welcomed by his cabinet colleagues, MLAs, and several supporters waving colourful Indian flags.

Speaking to media persons at the airport, Biren expressed gratitude to the central leadership and members of the outfit for renouncing violence and joining the mainstream.

"After 60 years, with the help of the people in the state and through the support and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, today we could achieve this milestone, I, On behalf of the state, express my deepest gratitude to the Central leadership," said CM Biren Singh.

The chief minister also appealed to other organisations operating in the state to come forward for talks and join the mainstream for peace in Manipur.

The CM in reply to a question posed by a newsman said: "The state is now approaching towards peace.

Other underground outfits must imitate the peace deal style adopted by the armed group that signed the peace deal" .

The CM also tweeted, "I am grateful for the warm welcome by my colleagues, ministers, and MLAs upon my return after the peace talk in New Delhi.

The successful peace talks reflect our collective commitment to a harmonious future for Manipur.

Let us work together for lasting peace and progress".

Extending his heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated workers of the BJP for the warm reception at its head office in Imphal, the CM tweeted, "The positive momentum generated by the peace talks instils confidence in the path ahead.

The support of the people is invaluable in shaping the destiny of our state.

Let us collaboratively strive towards a prosperous future for Manipur" .

Meanwhile, a ceremony was held at Thambal Shan-glen, the BJP's state head office in Keishampat locality in the state's capital where several senior party leaders and members had gathered to welcome Biren Singh.

It may be noted that the central government on November 29 signed a peace agreement with the said outfit, under which the rebel group has agreed to renounce violence.

The development comes days after the ban on the group under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was extended for five years.

Representatives of the outfit signed the agreement in the presence of senior officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government.

According to the MHA statement, this is the first time a valley-based Manipuri armed group has agreed to return to the mainstream by abjuring violence and agreeing to honour the Constitution of India and the laws of the land.

(With inputs from PTI) .

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