CM plays the peace bugle, again
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 18 2023: Sounding a peace call yet again, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed to one and all to refrain from making derogatory comments against one another but work doubly hard to restore normalcy in the State.

N Biren Singh attended the Sadbhavana Diwas held at the main conference hall of Manipur Secretariat (South Block) this morning.

Sadbhavana Diwas is observed on August 20 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, but as it falls on Sunday this year, it was observed today.

CM plays the peace bugle, again

Speaking to the media by the sideline of the observance, the Chief Minister said that the controversial event held at Churachandpur on August 15 where several Kuki youth were seen marching with sophisticated weapons was in no way related with the Independence Day celebration of India.

He also said that investigation is underway to ascertain how the incident took place.

The event at Churachandpur might be a dummy Independence-Day celebration held separately, he added.

On being asked why there is no further notice from the Government side after making official that the Assembly session will be called on August 21, N Biren responded that the Assembly session will be convened as announced before September 2 .

On the demand for posts similar to Chief Secretary and DGP for the Kuki-dominated hills areas raised by Kuki MLAs, N Biren asserted that everyone is entitled to speak freely in a democracy.

Meanwhile, addressing Sadbhavana Diwas as the chief guest, the Chief Minister said that the situation in Manipur is not conducive to engage in political debate as it will hinder the peace process.

Claiming that there, however, are certain people who want to divert the issue in Manipur for the violence to linger on, N Biren advised the people to not fall to the trap of people with vested interest and waste no time on discussing impossible things.

There certainly will be differences of opinions at this crucial juncture but the immediate objective must be on restoring peace and ensuring that Government employees and general public work harder to make up for the lost three-four months, the Chief Minister said and further appealed to all to discard communal feelings.

It is better to let bygones be bygones and to work unitedly for a better, developed, and peaceful tomorrow rather than dwell on past mistakes, N Biren said and sought positive suggestions and advice toward building a developed and united society.

People should refrain from making comments which could hurt the sentiment or give emotional distress to other communities, he said and appealed to all communities in Manipur to be broad-minded and work in the common interest of all instead of advocating exclusive ideas.

The Chief Minister went on to appeal to the people to promote oneness and development.

He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are monitoring the situation in Manipur round the clock and thanked them for their intervention.

It is not easy to be a leader or engage in politics in a diverse Nation like India, he added.

Speaking on the importance of observing the day, N Biren Singh said that Rajiv Gandhi was a leader who believed in the welfare and betterment of the people.

On this day, people have been taking Sadbhavana Pledge to promote National integration and harmony, he added.

The Chief Minister said that incidents of violence erupt occasionally and it not only causes loss of precious lives and properties, but also builds mistrust among the people and slows down the pace of development.

MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh presided over the function.

Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, DGP, administrative secretaries, police and civil officers also attended the programme.

Later, N Biren Singh administered Sadbhavana pledge to those attending the observation.

Artistes of the Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College performed the opening and closing songs of the observation.