CM calls for studying root cause of conflict
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, February 03 2025: Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated an Art and Culture building and an Open Gym besides laying the foundation stones for a 33/11 KVA Sub Station and swimming pool inside the Manipur University campus on Monday.

Addressing the formal function at the MU auditorium, CM Biren stressed the need to understand how the conflict began while urging for studying the videos and photos in his possession to understand what the present and future will be like.

Recounting that he was attending a function at the same auditorium in the presence of the Vice President of India on May, 2023 when the unfortunate violence broke out, the CM prayed for peace to return in the state.

He also expressed the need to conduct a proper discussion on the present situation with faculties, teachers, researchers and students in the university to understand the core issues of the conflict.

"Now is the time for struggle filled with many adversities and challenges, but one should be aware of the goal," he added.

Biren then remarked that if India had granted statehood to Manipur in 1949, insurgency may not have existed in the state.

He questioned the circumstances and influences under which Nagaland attained statehood in 1963, while also questioning why Mizoram is poking its nose in Manipur's business.

Further questioning who is backing Mizoram, the geopolitics involved and the strong objection to border fencing, he wished for these issues to be discussed at the university level and a booklet produced on the same, adding that people will surely listen to the findings of MU.

As such, he appealed to the vice chancellor of Manipur University to allot two hours' time to the teachers and students of the varsity for this matter.

Regarding border fending, Biren said that the absence of the same has led to unchecked influx into the state.

From six MLAs in 1971-72 the number of legislators rose to 10 within few years' time, he said without specifying to which community the said MLAs belong to.

Though around 900 new villages cropped up in the same period, we never took it seriously, the chief minister maintained and urged all to look into the action taken by US President Donald Trump against illegal immigrants, out of concern that the American natives would be reduced to a minority.

While Manipur is forced to compromise and allow illegal immigrants to run rampant, Trump is rightfully viewing illegal immigrants as serious threats and has been deporting them to their respective countries, the CM remarked.

CM Biren also stressed on the importance of a gym to maintain fitness in view of sedentary lifestyle of the masses.

He said that all educational institutions including universities, schools and colleges are temples and those coming out successfully from these institutes especially the university are the ones that contribute, guide and shape the society.

Acknowledging the importance of a university, Biren said that the government has always tried not to neglect any issue or proposal concerning the university.

He further assured construction of swimming pool within a year.

Biren further talked of the responsibilities of educational institutes like universities to clear confusion among the people.

Touching on issues surrounding border fencing and others, he said that seminars or legal camps to create awareness among the people could be conducted to clear confusions.

Informing that a book, 'Know Manipur' has been published, Biren highlighted the importance of educating the people on roots and history of the land.

As such, a film on the Seven Years' Devastation has been produced and efforts are underway to produce a film on 'Maharaj Kulachandra', he informed.

The chief minister also lamented that in-spite of being descendants of brave warriors, who were able tame and ride wild horses for the game called Sagol Kangjei, or Polo, present generation has failed to explore the same or promote or preserve the game.

For betterment of Manipur and its people, identifying illegal immigrants and deporting them, continuing the border fencing, regulating FMR, and eliminating the drug menace shall be pursued vigorously, he affirmed, seeking the support of the people in ensuring a state with real indigenous population.

"Our society will move forward when people start acting with a sense of belongingness to the land and a sense of ownership of the land.

We have the talent, but we need to act with the senses of belongingness and ownership," he said, while stating that educational institutes should be disturbance-free.

Delivering the presidential address, Manipur University vice-chancellor Prof N Lokendra Singh expressed that MU has been able to grow from a JNU PG Centre to a full-fledged central university with 44 departments and 119 affiliated colleges, around 6900 students registered in different departments of the university and 68,000 students registered in the different affiliated colleges of the university, due to the consistent support of the central and state governments.

The function was also attended by ministers Th Biswajit Singh, Th Basanta Kumar Singh, MLAs Karam Shyam, Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh, faculty members, executive members of Manipur University Teachers' Association, Manipur University Students' Association and students among others.

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