Learn to be grateful, Chief Minister advises people of Manipur
Curtain raiser of INS Imphal held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 22 2023: Chief Minister N Biren has stated that the people of Manipur are ungrateful to the Government of India even after the Centre's BJP Government has done many things and doled out several gifts to the State of Manipur.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a curtain raiser event of the commissioning of INS Imphal, a Vishakapatnam-class stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy at Kangla today.

At the time of the Merger Agreement, Manipur was a small Nation of 80,262 square miles with a total population of just around 5,12,000 .

Nonetheless, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, known as the modern Chanakya of Indian politics named the third ship of the Vishakapatnam-class stealth guided missile destroyer after Imphal in recognition of the historical significance of Imphal, Biren said.

Learn to be grateful, Chief Minister advises people of Manipur

Further, Mount Harriet was renamed as Mount Manipur in honour of the freedom fighters of Manipur, Rani Gaidinliu has been given proper recognition, Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) has been extended to Manipur, Manipur was selected for establishment of National Sports University out of all the States of India, and most recently, P Sushila and N Roshibina were awarded Arjuna Award.

Despite all these good deeds and commendable works done by the Government of India, the people of Manipur seem to be ungrateful, Biren said.

"Without knowing what the Government of India has done for Manipur, some people have been making all kinds of criticisms against the Central Government.

But we feel like worshipping the Central leaders as we have witnessed what the Government of India has done for Manipur", Biren said.

Questioning if the ILP regime had been extended to any State of India after 1947, Biren asked whether Manipur is qualified for enforcement of Inner Line Permit.

It is only Manipur where Indian citizens (from other States) are required to take permission to visit the State, he said.

ILP regime can be extended only in States where tribals constitute 90 per cent of the total population.

Manipur is the only State where ILP has been enforced although 50 per cent of the total population belong to the General category, the Chief Minister said.

Even then, the people are not satisfied and unable to express appreciation, he remarked.

There may be many demands but all the demands cannot be achieved instantaneously, he said.

He then asked if any other person/party has given/done what Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented to the people of Manipur during the last 9/10 years and BJP did for Manipur.

"What we achieve today is a result of the sacrifices made by our forefathers.

For this, I'm proud of being a Manipuri.

We ought to worship our forefathers like Gods", Biren said.

Saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to build a strong, united and secular Bharat, the Chief Minister called upon all the citizens to work collectively so as to realise the Prime Minister's vision.

Manipur is currently sailing over troubled water but peace has started returning with the blessing of the people, he said.

Real politics is working with a vision to protect all communities, secure their collective future and safeguard the territory and history of the land.

It is not limited to development of infrastructure, he said.

Conveying Christmas and New Year wishes to all the people, the Chief Minister prayed for peaceful co-existence among all the people.

He said that construction of a guest house of hill village chiefs has been completed and the same would be inaugurated before the New Year day.

He further announced that a library hall would be constructed for each and every recognised tribe at the cost of Rs 30 lakh each.

The ceremony was also attended by Ministers, MLAs, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, DGP Rajiv Singh, civil and police officials, distinguished personalities from diverse fields, NCC cadets and students, among others.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and officials also inspected ongoing construction works of Alternate Housing at National Games Village, Water Amusement Park at Thenguchingjin and Government quarters at New Checkon.