Too many CSOs, better unite : CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2023: Chief Minister N Biren has categorically stated that both the Government of India and the State Government are confused over whom they should talk with as there are too many CSOs.

The Chief Minister appealed to all the CSOs to come together and forward a common proposal.

Notably, a 13-member delegation of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 25 on the current crisis in Manipur.

The COCOMI delegation also held a detailed discussion with Director of the Intelligence Bureau and Security Advisor (North East) AK Mishra on the same day.

Too many CSOs, better unite : CM

Speaking at a 'Meri Maati Meri Desh' celebration at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound today, Chief Minister N Biren said that Manipur is now passing through a very critical phase.

"If we are tactful enough, indigenous people's rights and democratic values can be safeguarded and all the people will be able to live a life of dignity", he said.

"On the contrary, if we make any wrong step driven by vested interest or ego or emotion, it will have serious ramifications on the future generations", he said.

Biren said that every citizen should think multiple times before making any step.

"We cannot afford the slightest mistake at this juncture", he said before adding 'things are easier said than done' .

People must have been aware of the difficulties faced by the State Government in convening an Assembly session and adopting a resolution on the floor of the House.

The ruling parties and the incumbent Government are not those people who would sell off Manipur for their political benefits, Biren claimed.

Manipur faced ignominy every day during the recent Parliament session.

In connection with the unfortunate incident of parading two women naked, a no confidence motion was raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many political parties were demanding imposition of President's Rule in Manipur.

Even though the State Government and the people of Manipur condemned the incident and the two victims were given clothes and ensured that they reached their homes safely, these parts were not mentioned in the Parliament, he remarked.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave a very clear account of the Manipur violence in the Parliament, mentioning the major causes of the conflict.

Even though Manipur was projected in a very bad light for some political benefits, there were very few takers of these false narratives in the end, Biren said.

People now know those elements who shouted for imposition of President's Rule in the State but those elements have been silenced, he said.

Calling upon the people to put faith in the Government, it is the combined strength of the people and the Government which would save Manipur.

The Government will not retract a single step when it comes to protecting Manipur, Biren asserted.

The integrity of Manipur characterised by peaceful and harmonious co-existence of 34/35 communities will be safeguarded, the Chief Minister vowed.

There were many clauses in the Manipur Land Revenue Act which could spell doom for the Meitei community.

The blunders committed in 1971, 1972, 2005 and 2008 added to Manipur's misery, he said.

Four blocks of Kanglatongbi which were under Panchayat were brought under Autonomous District Council in 2013.Manipur is facing myriad issues because of such short-sighted and self-centred leaders, Biren said.

Saying that his Government would do nothing against the interest of the people, N Biren urged the people to authorise the Government to act after considering the constitutional bindings, Centre's perspective and other communities' perspectives.

The violent crisis was engineered by illegal immigrants who resorted to rampant deforestation and extensive poppy plantation.

This was stated by Amit Shah, Biren pointed out.

The current violent crisis is a result of the Government's attempt to check illegal immigrants and the growing threat to the State's demographic balance.

It is not a communal conflict, the Chief Minister asserted.

The current aggression is a threat to the integrity of Manipur and its indigenous peoples.

It will take some time to resolve the crisis, he said.

The Government condemned in the strongest terms the act of opening fire on a farmer by Kuki militants at Naranseina on August 29 .

Manipur Police and Army immediately launched a search operation and apprehended one individual with arms, he said.

"Let there be no confusion in the State.

Let there be a single voice of the people.

The number of CSOs and groups are too many", Biren said.

He then appealed to all CSOs and the people to come together and forward a common proposal to the Government.

The State Government will take the people's common voice to the State, he said.

"Let us fight the challenges collectively.

Any internal bickering or conflict will only serve the adversary's interest," he added.

Responding to queries raised by MHRC's findings about razing of Meitei houses and levelling of Meitei homesteads in Churachandpur and renaming of Meitei localities of Moreh and the Government's initiative to resolve the crisis and bring peace, Chief Minister N Biren said that some people even named Imphal Airport as Lamka.

Renaming the Meitei localities of Moreh is not something recent.

Some people gave the names of nearby villages when they submitted Census data.

Relevant authorities have been instructed to rectify the wrong names and insert the original names, he said.

Even though some houses were vandalised and the ground levelled in some areas of Thengra Meitei Leikai, Churachandpur, there was no widespread levelling of Meitei localities as per Government report, Biren said.

Nonetheless, the Government will look into the matter.

Moreover, adequate strength of security forces have been deployed to prevent any more vandalism and arson, he said.

The Government has been working to build houses at secured places for the internally displaced people.

The Government has been sending peace missions comprising religious leaders, social activists and political personalities to both the parties so as to restore peace in the State, he added.