State observes Anti-Terrorism Day
CM admits security lapses, intelligence failure
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, May 21 2023: Referring to the ethnic violence which erupted on May 3, Chief Minister N Biren has admitted security lapses as well as intelligence failure.

The Chief Minister also appealed to all the people not to blame one another's community for the recent violence.

He maintained that the unfortunate incidents erupted as a form of resistance and grievances towards the State Government activities.

He said that the Government is ready to bear responsibility for the violence.

The Chief Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the Anti-Terrorism Day, 2023 observation held at the Main Conference Hall of Manipur Secretariat (South Block) today.

He maintained that the violence is not a communal clash.

Continuing that the State Government had taken up certain measures to save forest lands and root out drug menace from the State, he maintained that the Government was not acting against any community.

State observes Anti-Terrorism Day

Taking responsibility for the recent violence, he urged everyone not to blame any community for the same.

He appealed to the public to put up their grievances, if any, to the Government, so that it could be addressed.

Biren stated that the main focus of the Government is to restore peace and normalcy in the State.

Every community residing in the State are like family members and it is a part of life that family members sometimes quarrel with one another, he said, stressing the need to work collectively towards restoring love and brotherhood among different communities.

Expressing sadness over many people fleeing from their homes to different places outside the State, fearing violence, he stressed the need to bring those people back to the State and make them stay in a safe place.

He even stated that the State Government would bear their ticket fare for coming back to their home State and would ensure a safe place for them to reside.

The Chief Minister continued that all possible efforts have been taken up to restore peace and normalcy under the direct supervision of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

At present, some enraged mobs have been blocking roads/highways but the people should not provoke or stoke communal tension out of it.

By deploying adequate strength of army and paramilitary forces, the Government has been working to open all roads and highways, Biren said.

The Government has also initiated necessary steps to collect arms wielded by militants of SoO groups and ensure that all of them adhere to SoO ground rules and are confined to their designated camps, he said.

Apart from stationing an army General, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been monitoring the situation.

Under the direct supervision of the Union Home Minister, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh has been working round the clock to bring peace and normalcy in the State, the Chief Minister said.

Biren said that he has been contacting or trying to contact Kuki leaders who have fled the State and taken shelter in neighbouring States.

"Manipur is a common home for all of us.

Comments made by some people in Mizoram or any other State should not be allowed to create distrust or hatred among us", he said.

Calling upon all the 35 communities of Manipur to live together in peace and harmony, Biren said, "As long as we live together with mutual love and understanding, no force would be able to disintegrate Manipur" .

He also spoke on rescuing people of a particular community by people of another community.

People have started rendering humanitarian service as the situation is returning to normalcy, though there was tension and quarrel earlier, he claimed.

He further appealed to the public not to organize any rally or protest or hold placards and banners which would hurt the sentiments of other communities.

Urging the public to have faith in the Government, he informed that essential items necessary for relief camps had been looked into with a team of Ministers and MLAs visiting different relief camps.

Books are being distributed to students staying at relief camps and pregnant women are being shifted to safer places, he added.

Speaking on the core idea of observing the Anti-Terrorism Day, he maintained that the day is being observed across the country to condemn terror activities of every form and root them out.

He continued that terror activities happening at different parts of the world had caused many serious impacts and hardships to mankind.

Delivering his speech as president of the observation, Power Minister Th Biswajit Singh stated that the Anti-Terrorism Day observation reminded every citizen of the destruction and impacts caused by terror activities globally.

"We all should stand together against terrorism", he said.

Speaking on the recent violence, he stated that vested interest and narrow mindedness gave rise to conflict and unrest.

He appealed to the public to forget and forgive what had already happened but take part in restoring peace and tranquility.

During the observation, the Chief Minister administered Anti-terrorism Day pledge to all those present at the venue.

One minute silence was also observed for all the losses incurred during the recent violence.

The other highlight of the observation was presentation of songs by Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College.

Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, senior civil and police officials also attended the programme, among others.