Too many Lups, hindering dialogue initiative: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 31 2023: Chief Minister N Biren said that there are so many organisations in the state that both the Centre and the state government are confused on whom to talk with to resolve the present crisis.

As chief guest of the state level 'Meri Maati Mera Desh programme held at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, here, on Thursday, CM Biren appealed to the public and organisations not to create confusion to the government but unite and approach the government with a single voice of the public so that the government could respond effectively.

The state is in a crucial situation and it needs a well-laid out approach to resolve not only the crisis but also future implications.

The government will always work in the interest of the public and not against their aspiration, he assured and further urged the CSOs to unite and present a common proposal so that the state government could also submit the same to the Centre.

Biren said that there are several Acts, which forbid the democratic rights of the indigenous people and these Acts need to be amended.

This is a crucial time and impulsive acts may bring unintended results.

Burning effigies will not bring any solution but it needs proper deliberation and find out a way forward for a better future.

No steps should be taken in haste and public should also ponder seriously if the demand they are making is practical, he said.

The CM also appealed to the public to understand the position of the government and what situation it faced in convening the assembly session.

He said that BJP is not a party that will sell Manipur for some political gain.

People of Manipur had witnessed how the state was sold to the whole world by certain elements during the entire parliament session by bringing up the May 4 viral video case.

However, none of them said a single word on how people saved their lives and helped them in evacuating to safety.

There are multiple attempts to bring President's Rule and re-impose AFSPA but all those attempts did not succeed as the union home minister made a clear statement in the parliament on the root cause of the current crisis, Biren maintained.

He urged the public to maintain their trust while assuring that his government will bring back the lost rights of the indigenous people, who are being subjugated in their own state.

There are several rules that are against the interest and survival of Meetei, the majority and indigenous community of the state.

For instance, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Record Act makes it mandatory for a Meetei people to take prior approval from the DC to acquire land from tribal people even in the valley areas of the state.

Many such laws were enacted in 1971, 1972, 2005, 2008 and 2013.In 2013, four blocks in Kanglatongbi, which were under the jurisdiction of Panchayat, were added into ADC without thinking of the future implications it would bring.

Such numerous and seemingly trivial matters have caused the present crisis, he said.

Today, the world has realised that the crisis in the state revolves around illegal immigrants and drug issue.

The crisis is not among the indigenous communities and the government is fighting the illegal immigrants, who are trying to create demographic imbalance in the state.

This is not a communal clash or an internal law and order situation but an aggression against the territorial integrity and indigenous people of the state, Biren said.

He also condemned the armed attack on farmers in Naransena village in Bishnupur district and informed that joint operation by army and state police resulted in arrest of a person along with arms for his involvement in the attack.

He further informed that biometric capturing of illegal immigrants is being taken Up unabated.

The CM stressed the need for all people of the state to stand united, irrespective of communities or political affiliation and work together to make a better future for Manipur.

He also urged all to respect history, culture and traditions and also take pledge, as citizens of India, to make India a self-reliant country.

Regarding the programme, Biren said that the campaign started from August 9 across the country to pay tribute to those great leaders who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland.

The campaign was organised as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in connection with the 75 years of Indian Independence.

Over 2 lakh programmes had been organised across the country under this campaign, during which history, culture and other development activities are being showcased, he added.

He elaborated that the campaign comprises five important activities and ceremonies conducted across the country at Panchayat/Village, Block, Urban Local Body, state and national levels, including Shilaphalakam, 'Panch Pran' Pledge, Vasudha Vandhan (planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and developing 'Amrit Vatika'.), Veeron Ka Vandan (honouring the freedom fighters and the families of deceased freedom fighters) and Rashtragaan (Hoisting of the National Flag and singing of National Anthem) .

He informed that 20,146 people took Panch Pran pledge and 364 Shilaphalakams had been erected by bringing soil from all the 16 districts of the state.

698 Amrit Vatikas had been developed with 41,273 tree saplings being planted.

Apart from this, 505 ceremonies were held on Veeron Ka Vandan by hoisting national flag and singing national anthem, he continued.

The Chief Minister also expressed pride on the successful soft landing of India's Chandrayaan-3 at the lunar south pole, becoming the first country to do so.

He further expressed satisfaction that Dr Raghu Ningthoujam, a native of Manipur, was part of the mission as project manager.

The programme was also attended by forest minister Thongam Biswajit, works minister Govindas Konthoujam, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, PHE minister Leishangthem Susindro, social welfare minister Heikham Dingo, education minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, transport minister Khashim Vashum, Manipur Electronics Development Corporation chairman Sapam Kunjakeswor and senior government officials among others.

Comment