CM kickstarts construction of football ground
Be wary of those masquerading as SFs : Biren
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, March 10 2024: Chief Minister N Biren has called upon all the people to be wary of those groups/individuals who have been moving masquerading as commandos and army personnel.

A project commencement programme for construction of a football ground with natural grass at Lamlai was held at Lamlai Ground, Imphal East today with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Power Minister Thongam Biswajit as chief guest and president respectively.

The programme was organized by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department.

The football ground will be constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 8 crore.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren stated the Meiteis must know who the enemies are and who the friends are in the backdrop of the current situation, and work to mobilize all the friends.

CM kickstarts construction of football ground

He reiterated that the Government has been working to bring a solution to the protracted crisis.

If the present crisis happens 5/10 years later, Manipur could be facing far greater troubles.

"Some 10 years back I tweeted a post warning against the possibility of the current crisis", Biren said.

With regard to the rally held on May 3, 2023 at Churachandpur, the State Government was thinking that the citizens have every right to air their grievances in a democratic country.

Rallies were held on the said day against the Meiteis' demand for ST status in every hill district and the rallies ended peacefully in Naga dominated districts, Biren said.

The violence and aggression started at Churachandpur and some other places dominated by Kukis with a sinister design to disintegrate Manipur but such aggression will never be able to disintegrate Manipur, he asserted.

In the initial days, Meiteis faced the armed Kukis and aggression with just sticks and clubs.

Unable to hear the cries and wailing of Meitei women victimised by the Kuki aggression, Meitei volunteers came out to face the armed Kukis, Biren said.

Claiming that all the MLAs/Ministers of Manipur love their motherland, Biren appealed to the people to stop blaming the MLAs and Ministers for the crisis.

He appealed to all the people to stop targeting residences of MLAs and Ministers.

The Government has been working to prevent further killings and security forces have been deployed in foothill and peripheral areas, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi loves Manipur and Manipuris intensely and he is deeply concerned over the situation in Manipur.

But he was deeply saddened by the no confidence motion moved in the Parliament against him over his silence on the Manipur crisis, Biren said.

The Government of India has already made it clear that illegal immigrants caused the Manipur violence.

The ongoing war is a war between the State Government and the Central Government on one side and those elements scheming to disintegrate Manipur and India, he asserted.

He asked all the Meitei people settled along Imphal-Ukhrul road not to pose any hurdle or problem to the movement of Tangkhul people.

"If the people settled along the road need donations or money or have any problem, come to me," Biren said.

He further appealed to the people settled along Chingarel Ngariyan-Gwaltabi stretch not to make any disturbances to vehicles plying on the road.

"We are here to save Manipur.

Let us consult each other and work together.

The Government will provide every requirement.

Stop extortion from shopkeepers, on roads and hijacking of vehicles.

Let us put an end to all infightings.

Complaints of hijacking vehicles and extortion abound.

Stop taxing potatoes and mustard leaves", Biren said.

"Some people are masquerading as commandos and army personnel and moving around.

We must be wary of them", he said.

The BJP Government has been/will be working to fulfil every promise it made, Biren claimed.

"Just like the paddy fields of Kakching area which are green throughout the year, let us make the paddy fields of Lamlai Assembly segment green round the year", he said.

He assured that the Government would take up necessary steps so that the paddy fields of Lamlai AC have access to enough volume of water throughout the year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation of various projects worth Rs.3500 crore (approx) for Manipur.

The projects for which the foundation stones were laid included construction of a football ground with natural grass at Lamlai, and so the State Government has decided to commence the construction work today, he added.

He continued that the Government had also sent a proposal to construct a sports complex covering different disciplines for Imphal East at Lamlai.

Appreciating the women and youths for bravely facing the hardship bred by the current situation of the State, he also stressed the importance of hard work and dedication in every field for development.

Indigenous people of Manipur have been standing together against those forces trying to strain and snap the bonding shared among different communities of the State, he said urging the public not to disturb the movement of vehicles and people.

Biren maintained that his Government since its formation in 2017, had been trying to preserve the historical and sacred places of the State, informing that security forces had been deployed at foothill areas to prevent tensions.

The Chief Minister appreciated Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his concern about the unprecedented crisis in the State and his address in the Parliament regarding the causes of the same.

He also stated that the State Government had been working tirelessly for ensuring security and safety of the State and its people.

Referring to a memorandum submitted by the locals of Lamlai AC, he assured them to deploy State security forces at Thamnapokpi, Gwaltabi and other areas.

N Biren also appreciated the Central leaders for their support and guidance, mentioning the implementation of Inner Line Permit System, border fencing, suspension of Free Movement Regime and others.

Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Member of Parliament, (Rajya Sabha) Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLA of Lamlai AC Khongbantabam Ibomcha, MLA of Patsoi AC Sapam Kunjakeswor, MLA of Wangkhei AC Th Arunkumar, MLA of Kshetrigao AC Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Administrative Secretaries and senior Government officials also attended the programme, among others.