Fulfilling the long cherish dream : CM has done it but more to be done
- Imphal Times Editorial :: February 21, 2021 -

After June 18, 2001 March uprising, the state of Manipur witnessed a certain political changed.

People across the state started understanding the participation in electoral politics, and many who had been sacrificing to uphold the integrity of the state contested election.

One among those is the present Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh, who left the job of Editor. There were apprehensions among the journalists fraternity as if he defeated the trust to journalist would faded away from the mind of the public.

But the peoples’ showed their love for the state and N. Biren Singh was first elected as the member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from the DRPP political party.

Unlike any other member, the former editor of a popular newspaper “Naharolgi Thoudang” , showed his purpose of joining politics by showing his interest on the need for protection of the Integrity of Manipur.

On Wednesday, when the newspaper of the state has been off the stand protesting bomb attack to a media house, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh while speaking in the house during discussion hour had reminded the members about a private member resolution which he moved in 2002 when he first joined the assembly session.

As per the assembly proceeding records he had deliberated about the need to bridge the gap of misunderstanding among various ethnic community of the state particularly between the Hill and plain people.

He had drawn the attention of the house about the need for development of the interior hill district and villages to restore peace and harmony in the state. The private member resolution was well noted and passed unanimously but never converted into action by designing or framing schemes.

In 2017 when, N. Biren Singh become the Chief Minister of Manipur , he took no time to announce scheme like “Go to Village”, “Go to Hill” and convening of cabinet meeting at Hill district headquarter.

While delivering his speech in the ongoing house on Wednesday he said that the scheme to reach out development works to all the people of the state is a long cherish dream.

Every right thinking person need to appreciate the Chief Minister as he still keep his determination of developing interior hill region when he joined politics after 20 years.

Everyone knows the erstwhile nation, now an integral state of India – Manipur finally seem to have sorted out the differences and enmity among the various communities that have been co-existed since time memorial. Post merger of Manipur to India have witness series of issues.

From late 1960s till late 1980s the region had been haunted with armed insurgency movement demanding restoration of the Independence of the erstwhile nation. Beginning of the 1090s, Manipur witness enmity among various ethnic communities inhabiting in the state. 1000s of lives have been lost during clashed between ethnic groups.

And many 1000s have lost their lives to the bullet of the security forces who have been deployed to suppress the movement.

Multiple issues such as movement for inclusion of the Manipuri language to the 8th scheduled of the Indian constitution, then revivalism movement of the indigenous Meitei script which finally is succeeded with students of master studying the script.

One more important matter need to discuss is for the protection of the Manipuri people, which the Chief Minister could have been in dilemma due to differences to the demands among the people.

Right in front today is that the Supreme Court has finally asked the Centre to declare Manipuri Hindu as minority. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh should also be serious to this new development.

The issues of those demanding the ST status and those opposing the ST status finally can be solved if the Hindus in Manipur are declared as Minority.

So, far so good, but considering this as a last bus the N. Biren Singh Government should sent more legal expert to make sure that Hindus in Manipur be declared as Minority class.