You were not invited to watch: CM to central forces
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 21 2024:
Chief Minister N Biren on Sunday said that the central security forces have no reason to remain in the state any longer if they could not protect public lives and properties.
Speaking at the 52nd Statehood Day celebration held at 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground, here on Sunday, the CM reiterated: "Central forces were not invited here to watch what is happening in the state.
You were invited to protect public lives and properties.
You have no reason to stay here if you keep watching silently".
Biren said the present government is committed to develop the hill districts in various sectors including sports, education, health infrastructure and employment, and pointed out upgrade of educational institutions, development of sports facilities like indigenous wrestling stadium in Senapati, and Youth Skill Development Centres in district headquarters.
Manipur, a princely state, merged into India in 1949 and was granted statehood in 1972, he said, noting that the struggle to get full-fledged statehood was not a smooth one.
The chief minister also stated in the past few years, the government has shown its commitment to inclusive development and has been working towards bringing development across the state without any divisions between hills and valley.
Many changes had been brought in various fields including health, education, road infrastructure, which resulted in the state topping the India Today survey for three consecutive years.
Believing that without uniform development there can be no peace and unity, the government has been developing infrastructure in the hills over the past five or so years bringing a huge landscape change, he said highlighting various projects taken up in the hill districts.
Unfortunately, the present crisis has impeded developmental works in some districts, he added.
A true friend is the one who lends helping hands in times of need and the Central security forces need to display the face of friendship.
If they remain just a silent spectator, they have no reason to stay here, Biren maintained.
He also said that those trying to disintegrate the state need to understand that the indigenous communities will unite whenever there is threat to the state's integrity and it is happening right now.
Stating that the state security forces are fighting the aggressors, he advised the state security personnel to "remain on alert, not to take leaves, stay healthy, and be ever ready to protect the motherland", while strongly condemning the act of targeting unarmed innocent civilians.
On the other hand, the chief minister noted about reports of misunderstanding between inmates and volunteers of some relief camps and urged the DCs concerned to visit the relief camps at least once a week, hear their grievances and explore solutions to avoid such misunderstandings.
He also said that the government is planning to construct housing complexes to shelter the displaced people until they could return and resettle at their respective localities.
Meanwhile, responding to the media about the possibility of resignation, the CM said that the matter has not been finalised yet.
Even if they have to resign, there is still the need for a deliberation on questions like to whom the administration will be transferred, what will be the consequences, and who will steer the society.
He also appealed to all concerned not to politicise the matter.
Referring to the recent killings of civilians in captivity by Kuki militants at Haotak and Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou, Biren said that the government has initiated investigations into the incident and any person involved in the incidents will not be spared.
People may think that the phrase 'will not be spared' is too redundant, but his government is keeping its words, he affirmed while citing the arrest of two prime suspects in the SDPO Anand assassination case as a follow-up action of his earlier assurance of 'will not be spared'.
Altogether 10 contingents took part in the March Past parade with CO of 1st Manipur Rifles Ksh Ravikumar as the parade commander.
A closing song was also presented by the artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College, Imphal.
The function was also attended by cabinet ministers, MLAs, HAC chairman, chief secretary, security advisor, senior officers of police and civil departments, ICAR (S), and senior officers from para-military forces, among others.
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