Manipur chapter of Purvottar Bharat Parikrama flagged off
CM breaks silence on blasphemous sermon; Don't insult others' faith : Biren advises all
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 04 2023: Breaking his silence on the trending row sparked after a footage of a particular man mocking the practices of sprinkling water with Tairen leaves went viral on social media, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that no people must insult the religions and practice of others while promoting theirs.

The Chief Minister also said that the State Government will take legal actions if such inappropriate practise continues or any excesses are meted out against others in the name of religion.

N Biren made the statement during the flag off ceremony of the Manipur Chapter of the Purvottar Bharat Parikrama from the western gate of Kangla, today.

To a query, the Chief Minister said that there is no question of religious discrimination taking place in Manipur.

Manipur chapter of Purvottar Bharat Parikrama flagged off

Saying that India is a democratic country which believes in secularism, N Biren maintained that everyone has the right to change or follow the religion of his or her choice and appealed to all religious leaders and followers to never insult the practise of others' faith while endorsing theirs.

The Chief Minister went on to state that the Government is closely monitoring the scenario and appealed to the people to have faith in the Government.

On Covid, N Biren said that the State has three active cases at the moment while the country as a whole reports about 3000 cases daily.

Stating that the Government is assessing the fresh detection of Covid in Manipur, the Chief Minister maintained that the Government has restricted organising Thabal Chongba as a preventive measure.

The Government will decide whether Thabal Chongba will be allowed on Cheiraoba day or not after studying the situation, he added.

If the situation improves than the Government may allow Thabal Chongba on two days, the Chief Minister conveyed and appealed to the people especially youngsters to not hold grudges against them for putting restrictions on Thabal Chongba.

He also stated that the Thabal Chongba organised at Heingang amid the restriction was stopped by police.

About the boundary issue, N Biren said that there is no provision with the Government to prepare a fresh district boundary nor carry out a demarcation exercise.

The Chief Minister went on to state that the Committee set up by the Government to prepare district boundaries hasn't started functioning.

He appealed to the people in both the hill and valley districts to not create any fuss over boundary issues and live together peacefully.

If there is land dispute than write a formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner or SDO instead of engaging in altercations, he advised.

Appealing to the people to not take laws into their hands or encroach into others or Government land, the Chief Minister said that a section of people will accuse the Government of taking sides if legal action is taken up.

He said that the Government will not remain silent if people start doing whatever they like such as erection of fencing by crossing other districts and encroaching into Government land and identified forest areas.

N Biren, on the other hand, lauded the Indian Army for organising the car rally for the North East States.

The Purvottar Bharat Parikrama North East Car Rally is being organised by the Eastern Command as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The rally will pass through all the eight States of North East India.

The car rally has one SUV representing one State each, and two SUVs representing the Indian Army.

It was flagged off on March 22 on the eve of Saheedi Diwas 2023 from Kolkata to celebrate the spirit of independent India and to build an inclusive mindset among the youth.

As part of the ceremony, the Chief Minister also presented school bags made from recycled Army uniforms and books to the students of Iroishemba Upper Primary School.

All NCC Cadets of Imphal Group, in a statement, expressed their delight over the car rally reaching Imphal yesterday.

The rally was flagged in by MLA Dr Yumnam Radheshyam.

As a part of the function, wheel chairs, hearing aids and other items were distributed to ex Army men.