CM appeals for backing anti-poppy drive
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 28 2023: The state celebrated Mera Houchongba, a historic festival that fosters the bond of brotherhood, fraternity and close relationship among the different indigenous communities of the state, at Kangla and Sana Konung on Saturday.

The festival is celebrated every year on the full moon day of Meetei lunar month Mera.

Chief minister N Biren and titular king of Manipur Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba attended the celebration as chief guest and president respectively.

Cabinet ministers, MLAs, senior government officials and village chiefs of different hill districts also attended the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Biren narrated how his government reopened the eastern gate of Kangla after consulting history experts and finding old photos to bring prosperity, welfare and development in the state as per belief of elders.

Though the people are suffering immense hardships due to the ongoing crisis in the state, the truth will soon come out and the society will move ahead towards a better future.

"If we do not protect our land, preserve our own culture and traditions, no one will come to protect and preserve them.

Mera Houchongba is a unique festival with historical importance," the CM said.

He also spoke on how his government started celebrating the festival as a state level event in coordination with Sana Konung, Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board and Shri Shri Govindajee Temple with an objective to foster brotherhood among the different communities of the state.

Earlier, the budget allocation for the hill districts were limited to 25 to 30 per cent.

But his government enhanced the allocation to 45 per cent, which the government had shown to the public through a whitepaper.

Through relentless efforts, the government has been able to fill the gap between hills and valley, and reduce the trust deficit to a great extent.

Bandh and blockade in hill districts have been reduced dramatically and sense of fraternity is increasing among the communities, he observed.

On the other hand, the world is facing the challenges of climate change and global warming, and the state is not immune to its impact.

Due to large scale deforestation in the hills, river and streams are filling up with muds, and instances of landslides are increasing during rainy season.

Flash floods and erratic rainfall have become common occurrences.

The government is taking up stringent measures to counter such issues.

Eviction drives do not target any community or any specific hill village but they are necessary steps of the government to protect reserved and protected forests from illegal encroachers and illegal poppy plantations, he said while urging all the hill dwellers should support such initiatives of the government.

He also prayed that the auspicious occasion of Mera Houchongba festival renews the bond of brotherhood among the different communities and bring peace and tranquility in the state.

Titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba said that Meetei community always work towards unity, peaceful co-existence, inclusive development and strengthening the bond of brotherhood, and the same initiative will continue in the future too.

However, the community will never tolerate challenges posed tointegrity, identity and co-existence of the state and its people, he said.

Sanajaoba also called upon the people of all communities to give up the idea of separatism and come together to resolve the crisis and restore peace and normalcy in the state.

He appealed to people of all communities to keep forth the idea of unity, peace and co-existence above everything else.

As part of the celebration, the CM also released a souvenir.

Other highlights include performances by various cultural and traditional troupes from different communities.

Gifts were also exchanged, signifying the bond of brotherhood between the different communities of the state.

Chief Minister Biren exchanged gifts with K Gongrisim, the chief of Thangal Surung village.

The rituals of Mera Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba were also held in front of Kangla Utra.

DK Mothilphun Maring (81) chief of Konaitong village, Tengnoupal district was honoured with Khonglei-hanba AS Wungnaioyo Zimik Mera Houchongba Award, 2023 .

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