Modi Govt 'liberated' Manipur, will free state from drugs: Amit Shah
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, January 07 2023: Union minister of home affairs Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 21 development projects worth Rs 1,311 crore at Churachandpur district and at Chengkhei Pologround, Moirang, Bishnupur district.

Chief minister N Biren and his council of ministers, minister of state Dr RK Ranjan Singh, MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze, MP (Rajya Sabha) Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs and civil and police officials were present at the inauguration and foundation stone laying function.

Addressing the gathering at Moirang, Amit Shah made a mocking remark at the Congress stating that Congress coined the term 'Look East' and hence kept on looking, contrary which the "Modi government adopted the Act East Policy and we are working day in and out to develop and bring about peace in Northeast India" .

"This is the difference between the Congress and the BJP.

In the last eight years the Modi government has spent Rs 3.45 lakh crore for Northeast India which is equal to what had been spent for the region in the 25 years before it," he added.

Modi Govt 'liberated' Manipur, will free state from drugs: Amit Shah

The Modi government has taken the pledge to make India drug-free before the country celebrates 100 years of independence, but in Manipur we will make the state drug-free before the next election itself, the home minister affirmed.

He also noted that poppy cultivated area in 2021 crop season was 6742 acres which has come down to 1118 acres in 2022 after large tract of opium cultivation were identified by drones and destroyed and as many as 703 persons, including five village chiefs arrested till date.

While pointing out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself visited the region 51 times, Amit Shah said: "We promised the people of Manipur before the election that if a BJP government is formed we will liberate the state from bandhs, blockades, curfews and insurgency.

Six years have passed by and no such incidents have taken place here" .

He further said that Northeast India which was earlier infamous for bandhs, curfews, infiltration, drugs and arms trade, corruption terrorism and identity feuds, has transformed into a hub development, connectivity infra, sports, investment in organic agriculture during the eight years of Modi's rule.

He said that journalists often say that Modi connected the northeast with road, rail and air but he said that it is a small achievement compared to what Modi achieved in connecting hearts.

"Modiji with his sensitivity and hard work made the people of northeast feel that they are an integral part of this great nation and India is proud of it," he said.

The minister said that it was in Moirang where the tricolour was unfurled by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose' Azad Hind Fauj.

Speaking about personally unfurling the national flag on a 165-feet high pole at the same place, he described it as an emotional moment 'for me' to hoist the tallest tricolour in the North-east.

He recollected the days of the BJP's struggle in Manipur and said that BJP used to get only .3 per cent of the total votes polled.

"Journalists used to make fun when we made our attempts to win elections here.

But the people of Manipur did the magic of giving the BJP a thumping victory," he said.

Amit Shah also recounted that electoral pundits in Delhi called the victory a fluke and could not be repeated, but the people of Manipur proved them wrong again by seating a BJP government again in power.

"In the next elections our votes and seats increased and we formed a government with a full majority," he said adding that people voted in favour of peace and stability ushered in by the BJP instead of violence during the Congress regime when people had to buy a gas cylinder at an exorbitant price of Rs 3,000 .

The home minister also said that the Churachandpur Medical College built at a cost of Rs 46 crore, which he inaugurated will host 100 medical students of whom 22 are from other states.

"There was a time when students of Manipur used to leave the state in search of higher education.

But now it is just the opposite when students from other states come here for their studies.

This is a moment of pride for Manipur," he said .

He also appealed to Manipur University to conduct research and prove that the modern sport of Polo originated in Manipur.

Amit Shah inaugurated 10 projects virtually and two projects namely Marjing Statue Complex and Churachandpur Medical College, a state component, physically.

The projects that were inaugurated virtually included Olympian Park, Sangaithel; Fruit Preservation Factory (MAGFRUIT), Nilakuthi; Paid Private Ward at JNIMS; Moreh Town Water Supply Scheme; Nongpok Thong Bridge on the eastern side of Kangla, Imphal; infrastructure development of DM University; development of cave tourism project at Kangkhui Cave; Model Residential School at LM Block, Ukhrul; 100-bedded residential school at Rengpang and Paediatric Cardio-Thoracic Operation Theatre at RIMS campus.

The union minister also laid foundation stones of Manipur Exhibition Centre, Imphal East; District Youth Skilling and Employment Centre in 5 districts; construction of Jiribam-Tipaimukh road; strengthening of road from Serou Lamkhai to Salluk village via Chakpikarong; construction of 40 police outpost (34 along Indo-Myanmar international border and 6 along NH-37); integrated management of 3 water bodies wetland (Utra Pat, Zaimeng, Waithou-Phumnom); revamped distribution sector scheme; BharatNet Project (central project) on OFC network under Scheme for Capital Investment (SACI) and PM Gati Shakti projects under Scheme for Capital Investment (SACI) virtually from Moirang, where the function was held.

Amit Shah said that the present government has brought immense development in the state.

The inauguration of Marjing Polo Statue will definitely make Manipur the birthplace of Polo in the world.

The Churachandpur Medical College will help in imparting medical science to the students of the state, the union home minister added.

Speaking on the occasion, CM N Biren informed that the union home minister came to the state to review the developmental works taken up by the present government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The union minister played a great role in permitting Inner Line Permit System in the state and renaming Mount Harriet as Mount Manipur.

Today, Manipur can stand proud in the world, he added.

The chief minister continued that the government can deliver whatever the government said and it is possible only under the leadership of Narendra Modi.

Earlier, the Covid pandemic had hindered development works but now Manipur has seen progress with the laying of foundation stones and inauguration of various projects in the state, he said.

Biren also stressed on the importance of inauguration of Nongpok Thong, which is a historic place, to bring peace and prosperity in the state.

He also said that the tallest and biggest polo statue was inaugurated in recognition of the 'Sagol Kangjei', 'Sangol Lanmi', 'Arambaai', etc.

He expressed his gratefulness to the union home minister for extending support in developing the state under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Amit Shah also received a Guard of Honour from the 8th India Reserve Battalion commanded by P Shanker Singh.

Youth from different communities clad in traditional attires sang the national anthem during the function.