CM warns firearm brandishers, disapproves moral policing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 18 2023: While issuing a strong warning to individuals and armed groups, whether or not they are in peace talk with the government, against brandishing illegal firearms and roaming the streets, chief minister N Biren Singh asserted that the government will take up stringent actions as per the laws of the land.

Speaking during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Lilong Ushoipokpi Market, Skill Development Hub and Rehabilitation Centre at Haj House Complex, Lilong Karampat and inauguration of the 3rd and 4th floor of WAQF Board Manipur, guest house cum canteen and Sunrise Public School, on Monday, CM Biren reminded all concerned that no one, other than the state machineries can don the role of guardians of law.

If such unauthorised activities are not stopped in time, there are possibilities of vitiating the already tense situation in the state where different communities had been living harmoniously.

Urging the people not to take law into their own hands and act as moral police, chief minister N Biren said Manipur is under the Indian union and administered according to the Constitution of India.

If at all there are drug users, vehicle lifters or extortionists, the locals should inform the same to the police and not take the law for granted.

Any individual or group, other than the police, para military forces and government authorised agencies, found indulging in illegal and wrongful activities using firearms, shall have to face the consequences as ignoring such haughty characters might create misunderstanding between the different communities settling in the state and be the reason for communal violence, he elaborated.

The chief minister further stated that soon after the formation of the BJP-led government in the state, its first priority was to safeguard rights entitled to all bonafide citizens, accelerate development and promote peaceful co-existence.

It is under these objectives that various initiatives like 'Go to Village' and 'Go to Hills' were launched.

These initiatives have brought governance to the doorsteps of the common people and bridged the gap between the people, he said.

While contending that prior to BJP forming the government, people of Manipur were encountering bandhs and blockades and stage managed shootouts, he expressed that such unwanted incidents declined significantly under the BJP government, which is according importance to ushering in development in all spheres.

Stating that the present government believes in uniform development, he said that construction of women's markets at different locations including in the hills and at Lilong is part of the objective to empower the commoners, the womenfolk in particular.

The CM also said that he has been working towards building a unified Manipur and highlighted various developmental works undertaken in the hill districts including the Manipur Southern Cultural Centre at Behiang in Churachandpur, Makhel Heritage Park in Senapati and the Medical College in Churachandpur.

He said that a previously underdeveloped district like Tamenglong is witnessing development while declaring that traveling from Tamenglong to Guwahati will take only about six hours.

Further announcing that the government will galvanise all available resources to prevent illegal immigrations from across the border, Biren said that imposing restrictions do not mean deportation of the indigenous people who have been settling in the state since times immemorial.

We cannot allow outsiders to come inside Manipur and destroy the existing unity of the different communities.

We should live together in peace just like different flowers blooming together in a single garden, the CM emphasised.

He also maintained that the present situation in the state could have been averted had the previous government completed fencing of the 400 km long international border and not initiated the free movement regime.

Increase in the number of new villages to 1400 during a span of 15 years cannot be seen anywhere but in the state, which is very unfortunate.

Maintaining that our duty and responsibility is to save Manipur, CM Biren said that the present crisis in the state is due to the attempt of the illegal immigrants to destroy Manipur.

It is a war between the illegal influx and the people of Manipur.

Therefore, it is not the time for the Meitei Pangals to remain silent but to join and support the government.

Further seeking support of all indigenous communities and their leaders, the chief minister also said that he is in constant touch with community leaders to restore normalcy.

Biren also deliberated on various issues like drugs, deforestation, and its impact on climate and said it is time to deliberate on these issues.

There is no need for violence, because there are constitutional provisions for every issue, the chief minister said, and condemned attacks on civilians.

He further stated that the present situation in Myanmar has the potential to further escalate the crisis in Manipur and as such a team of police including the DIG and IG has been sent to Kamjong to ensure peace and safety in the area.

Further spelling out some developmental projects taken up in the area, the chief minister assured to look into the demands submitted through memorandums.

He further mulled development of Ushoipokpi Water body.

Minister Kashim Vashum in a brief speech stressed on the importance of peaceful coexistence and deliberated on the beauty of a garden filled with different flower plants.

He said that a whole community should not be blamed because of a few black sheep in the community.

He further appealed to all to pray for peace and co-existence in the State.

The function was also attended by ministers Govindas Konthoujam, L Susindro Meitei, Hill Areas Committee chairman Dinganglung Gangmei and Manipur WAQF Board chairperson Muhammad Abdul Nasir MLAs among others.

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