CM vows uniform development, preaches peace
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal/CCpur, October 14 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren inaugurated the Chivu-Chandrakirti Memorial Park at Tonjang village in Churachandpur district and laid foundation stone of Manipur Southern Cultural Centre, Behiang on Friday in a function organised by the Department of Art & Culture at the park.
The park is protected under the provision of the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976 .
The Cultural Centre consisting of a museum, conference hall, cottages, amphitheatre, etc., will provide a platform to showcase the unique history and culture of the people of the region.
In his address as the chief guest, CM Biren said the government is keen to develop Behiang as an international business hub like Moreh town and bring development there.
While highlighting several developmental works taken up in Singhat and confiding that more developmental plans for the area are being planned, he said the Manipur Southern Cultural Centre will be constructed at a project cost of Rs 6 crore and expanded in due course of time.
There should be equal development, the chief minister said, adding that there are no small or big communities but we are all humans and should live together.
"Today, we are taking forward a new Manipur, unfortunately it was affected for around two years by the COVID, but we have been working harder for the past six or so months to make up for the delay," he added.
Applauding the locals and district officials for proper maintenance of the forest cover in the area, Biren said he is against mass deforestation for poppy cultivation but wouldn't raise objection in case of minor clearances for the food cultivation process.
The Chief Minister also announced rewards for the 13 villages of the area for properly maintaining the forest cover and for declaring that there is no poppy cultivation in their area.
He said Rs 1 lakh each will be rewarded to the 13 villages with five village chiefs chosen for receiving the same in the first phase followed by rest of the 8 villages.
Biren also announced projects under Horticulture for each of the villages and further assured inclusion of a High School Leaving Certificate Examination Centre in the area.
He continued that the new Medical College at Churachandpur was set up in the district because the people deserve it.
"Let us settle differences, problems, grievances through the process of talk, discussion and meeting instead of resorting to violent disturbances like bandhs, blockades," he appealed.
Stressing on the importance of forgetting and forgiving for mistakes committed in the past, the Chief Minister pointed out that no society can move forward if we continue to remember past mistakes.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba expressed his happiness to the people of the area for preserving and protecting the artefacts, which are erected in the park for such a long time while Singhat MLA Chinlunthang declared before the Chief Minister that there is no poppy cultivation in the area.
As the functional president, minister Letpao Haokip highlighted the importance of restructuring land holding system and its record besides the 7th Amendment Act and reserved forest policy.
Meanwhile, Tipaimukh MLA Ngursanglur Sanate elaborated on the need for everyone in the state to learn Manipuri and said if we want to bring unity in the state, we have to learn Manipuri.
He encouraged the people, especially the people of the hills to learn the language.
Keirao MLA L Rameshwor Meetei asserted that it is evident that the Chief Minister has concern for the people of the hills from the development work taken up in the hill areas.
The inscribed stone at Chivu was erected during the reign of Maharaj Chandrakirti (1850-1886 CE) in the year 1872 CE to commemorate the Lushai Expedition.
A large stone slab with a pair of engraved footprints of Maharaj Chandrakirti and General Nathan is lying in front of the inscribed stone.
A stone symbolising Lord Thangjing and his consort is also located within this complex.
The total protected area is 607.50 Sqm.
The programme was also attended by Mao MLA Losii Dikho, Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip, Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip, DC Churachandpur Dr Sharath Chandra Arroju, district administration officials, among others.
Leaders of CSOs, tribes, village chiefs and the general public of the area accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Minister and his team on their arrival at the venue.
The Chief Minister also inspected the complex of the park.
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