CM cautions against arbitrary renaming of villages
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 08 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has cautioned against arbitrarily renaming of villages without the approval of the department concerned.

The CM made the statement during the first Foundation Day celebration of Salaicha Pibarel Punshi Marup, Manipur which was held at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), here on Wednesday.

Biren said that the law does not allow any settlement in reserved forest area.

The state government also cannot take up any development work in reserved forest area without the approval of the Ministry concerned.

Additionally, renaming of previously existing villages cannot be effected if it is not recognised by the Revenue Department and Tribal Affairs and Hills.

In this regard, the state government has directed the officials concerned to only use the names recognised by the government in official records.

The CM then stressed that the Meitei Community, which is in majority in the state, should take the responsibility of ensuring peace and harmony among different indigenous communities of the state.

There is no issue in trying to promote our respective communities but this should not conflict with the survival of another community.

It is important to be aware of the state's history and discuss the same to deal with those attempting to rewrite Manipur's history.

He continued: "We need to be true and strive to be in harmony so as to placate those who are living far away from the state, in addition to assisting them when required.

There are many villages in border areas, some so remote that there is no sign of any governance.

This is due to lack of maintaining a system with a proper nation/state structure.

Hence, the officials concerned have been advised to visit these remote villages, instead of just resting in AC rooms".

Regarding the issue of a particular village in Nongmaiching hill range, Biren said that the Indian Forest Act (IFA), 1927 was enforced in Manipur in 1960 and an area of the reserved forest area was given to the village.

However, the village was relocated three times, as per records of Google's map.

Furthermore, over 40 years were spent in jumping camp, coveting seats of power and tussle within the consecutive governments.

Various situations have cropped up in the state, one of which includes the Dzuko Valley, which led the government to set up police outposts to better protect the area.

The department of computer science and engineering of Manipur Technical University (MTU) organised an event for the final year students to display their innovative projects in front of their peers, IT industries, schools, faculties and staff.

The projects were varied covering the field of Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Natural Language Processing (NLP) based on the theme of smart, ecological and sustainable living using technology, a statement of MTU said, adding that the event concluded with positive feedbacks from all including faculties and staff.

It also said that the department aims to produce engineers who are conscious and are able to utilise their learned skills for the betterment of the society and the environment.

Comment