CM urges Naga CSOs to help restore peace in state
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, December 18 2024: People of Senapati especially civil society organisations like Naga People's Organisation, United Naga Council, student bodies have a big role to play in upholding Manipur's unity and integrity, and promoting peaceful coexistence of all indigenous communities in the state, said chief minister N Biren Singh at the inaugural function of the RobvenaNi 2024 festival at Asufii Robvena Ground, Punanamei Village, Senapati district on Wednesday.

Seeking support and cooperation of all indigenous and recognised communities in restoring normalcy and peace in the state, the chief minister said Manipur has been facing an unfortunate situation for the last 19 months, but with God's grace the situation has started to slowly improve.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest of the three-day festival, N Biren commended the festival organisers for adopting the theme of reconciliation amongst all individuals or groups, stating that the idea is relevant every where as well as merit appreciation.

While opining that all humans are prone to err, he, however, emphasised that there should be room for reconciliation and to forgive and forget through meetings and talks.

Biren also stressed on the importance of equal development, stating that with out mutual respect among the people and inclusive development across the state, there can be no unity, peace and development in Manipur.

He said the 'Go to Hills' programme was initiated to realise the objective of uniform development in both the hills and valley along with conveying that the government is committed to usher development in the hills.

"The government was 70-80 percent successful in the endeavour," maintained the chief minister, and referred to developmental projects taken up in Senapati district including construction of Indigenous Sports Complex, District Youth Skilling, Entrepreneurship & Employment Centre, Senapati, laying of astro turfs, and soon-to-be complete HIT among others.

He also highlighted that special health facilities like MRI, CT scan and others will be installed in hill districts like Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel.

CM Biren also said that the state has witnessed improvement in road connectivity, along with citing recent announcement by Union Road, Transport & Highways minister Nitin Gadkari that Rs 777 crore has been sanctioned for improvement and widening of the Shangshak (Ukhrul) to Tengnoupal road.

Further declaring that the Maram-Peren road will be completed at the earliest, the chief minister expressed that Tamenglong is not what it used to be before as is evident from improved condition of the Khongshang to Tamenglong road stretch.

Apart from reflecting on the benefits of 'Go to Village', CMHT and Ayushman Cards, he emphasised that the Sangai Ethnic Park was established with construction of traditional huts of all the 34-35 recognised tribes, including 24-25 indigenous tribes to foster unity in the state.

Highlighting the menace of drug abuse in the society, the chief minister clarified that the 'War on Drugs' campaign was launched in 2018 to save the present and future gen erations from illegal drugs, and not to target anybody as misinterpreted and falsely propagated by certain elements.

Moreover, identification of illegal immigrants was initiated as per the constitutional provisions after witnessing growth of unrecognised villages through satellite mapping and considering that populations of the indigenous tribes are marginal, he added.

"The records were not manipulated.

We had to consider the population of indigenous people (in the wake of such growing villages of unrecognised groups).

The count of indigenous Naga people of Mao, Maram, Poumai and others is hardly one lakh.

The population of Tangkhul, the largest Naga sub tribe, is not much.

"Under such circumstances, it was necessary to identify illegal immigrants and this exercise was also conducted through constitutional provisions.

Unfortunately, this led to unwanted incidents and many lives have been lost and many left homeless," he rued.

With apparent reference to the ongoing Kuki-Meetei conflict, he described as unfortunate that due to some misunderstandings there has been loss of lives and properties.

He then sought support of people of Senapati district in restoring peace and normalcy in the state.

Stating that Mao people have a Mao Bazar in Imphal, Biren confided that the government is planning to construct a Unity Mall in Imphal East district with stalls to accommodate every recognised tribe.

The chief minister also noted that Senapati is the only place in the state to have a multi-storey car parking, and acknowledged that regardless of lack of land resource the need to expand Senapati Town, cannot be overlooked in order to accommodate the growing population and developmental needs.

The chief minister also extended his warm wishes for Christmas to the people.

Welcoming the gathering, the chief host of the inaugural programme, Mao MLA Losii Dikho stated that Robvena is the collective identity of the descendants of ancestor Robveo, who first settled at Robvedzu (Punanamei) but now encompasses three villages namely, Robvemai, Robve Chobongho (Chowainu) and Robve Solephe.

He also presented a brief history of the village and its pioneering achievements in the held of education and religion.

He mentioned that a get-together celebration of Robvena community is organised from time to time.

Later, CM Biren accompanied by Works minister Govindas Konthoujam and other dignitaries visited the 21 stalls showcasing hand looms & handicrafts, organic vegetables and food stalls.

The chief minister reached the interior Naga village to attend the programme by helicopter after the Kuki-Zo Council in Churachandpur claimed that it would not allow him to go to Senapati by passing through Kangpokpi district by road.

(With inputs from Agencies) .

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