Biren assures solution, denounces criminal activities
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 21 2024: Chief Minister N Biren has stressed the urgent need to cease criminal activities such as kidnapping and extortion, which he stated would inevitably entail intervention by security forces.

Highlighting the state's delicate situation, he urged everyone to focus on protecting the indigenous communities and preserving the state's integrity.

While interacting with media persons after the International Yoga Day event held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Hall, here, on Friday, Biren said the central government is committed to resolving the ongoing crisis within the next couple of months.

Regarding the huge deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the state, the CM explained that apart from controlling the violence, criminal acts like extortion, kidnapping, bombing residences, and forcing closure of shops necessitate such measures.

While appealing to those involved in such activities to halt their actions and instead contribute to safeguarding the state and its people, he stressed the importance of unity in protecting the indigenous populations as well as urged the public to set aside other issues temporarily.

Biren disclosed that he has been in constant communication with the union home minister throughout the crisis.

During election campaigns, the home minister had issued strong warnings against demographic imbalances caused by infiltrators and had taken a firm stand on upholding Manipur's territorial integrity.

He also mentioned of the ongoing dialogues with leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and intellectuals to find solutions to the crisis and encouraged women to raise their concerns directly to him.

The CM noted instances of derogatory language being used on social media, which he described as unbecoming of a civilised society.

Drawing on his over 60 years of experience in journalism and social work, including the formation of organisations with multiple ethnic communities, he shared his encounters with dedicated and well-mannered women leaders and urged these women leaders to bring any concerns directly to him, rather than acting on behalf of others.

On the situation in Jiribam, Biren said instructions had been given to the DC for reconstruction of the houses destroyed in recent violence along with assuring that the crisis would be managed using both CAPF and state forces.

Regarding the protest by students of DM University, he promised appointment of a vice-chancellor as soon as possible.

Responding to criticisms about his absence from a recent security meeting chaired by union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Biren clarified that the meeting was intended to gather information on the security situations in Kashmir and Manipur from various agencies and did not include politicians.

He dismissed the allegations as trivial politicking and noted that he had held multiple meetings with SPs, which also did not involve politicians.

The CM expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, home minister, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for including the Manipur issue in the central government's 100-day action plan, underscoring the seriousness with which the Central government is addressing the crisis.

He assured the public that any political solution would be reached with their consent.

Biren viewed the security meeting chaired by the home minister as a positive step, stating that the issue of illegal immigration from neighbouring countries raised at the United Nations, testifies Central government's commitment to resolving the situation.

The CM asserted that the government would not tolerate past practices of irresponsible activities orchestrated from the secretariat and police headquarters.

He acknowledged the anger directed at him by some people but expressed confidence that eventually, the same people would realise their mistakes and regret their actions.

Biren, who also holds the home portfolio, said the security forces deputed for Lok Sabha election duty in different states have returned to Manipur and they are being deployed in the sensitive and vulnerable areas of the state.

"Incidents of violence have reduced significantly during the past several months in most parts of the state, except some sporadic incidents of violence being reported from a few places," the Chief Minister said, claiming that in the last 14 months, violent incidents took place in the first seven months, while such incidents largely reduced in the subsequent months barring in a few pockets of the state.

"Schools, offices, and business establishments are functioning normally in most parts of Manipur.

While few incidents of violence have been reported from some areas, I hope with the return of the central forces, such incidents would be prevented to a large extent," the Chief Minister said.

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