Efforts on to solve crisis through talks: Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 14 2024:
Chief minister N Biren has stated that the government is making concerted efforts to solve the crisis through political dialogues and restore peace and normalcy in the state at the earliest.
Speaking at the inauguration of the State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM) at Nongmaiching in Imphal East organised by Tourism Department under the sponsorship of the ministry of Tourism, on Thursday, N Biren lamented that the unrest situation gripping the state since May 3 last year has affected every individual, many lost their lives and properties destroyed beyond repair.
However, in-spite of the hardships suffered, we are now able to understand how we were living and those posing threat laid bare, he said as chief guest during inauguration of SIHM, constructed by Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd.
Stating that political dialogues have started to restore love and peace between the warring communities, CM Biren said that meeting between Kuki and valley MLAs were held twice in an effort to bridge the gap in addition to Naga MLAs engaging civil society organisations of both Meeteis and Kukis.
Hopefully the crisis will be solved very soon and peace restored at the earliest, he expressed.
The chief minister also said that due the crisis, execution of development works could not be expedited thereby entailing making double efforts for progress of the state.
Stating that the situation improved to some extent, the chief minister said state and central forces have been deployed in periphery and vulnerable areas.
Maintaining that the construction of NIT at Lamphelpat, which is a wetland was a wrong step, CM Biren pointed out the need to preserve and protect the environment along with citing loss of wetlands as the main factor for frequent flooding.
He also mentioned that developmental project could be implemented in foothill areas, where major agricultural work is not possible while also stressing the need to preserve paddy land for future food security.
Reflecting on establishment of SIHM, he regretted that the violence is affecting the tourism sector and consequently curtailing means of employment generation in the state.
Highlighting scenic landscape of the Institute, he urged both trainers and trainees to maintain good relation with nature and to preserve it while enjoying its scenic beauty.
Biren also acknowledged the need for upgrading the approach road to the institute to double lane.
Mentioning the importance of developing tourism sector, he maintained that the state government had taken up many development projects across the state like construction of Sangai Ethnic Park, Manipur Olympian Park, Water Amusement Park, Heritage Park at Makhel and Southern Cultural Centre at Behiang among others.
As the SIHM is situated at foothill area, the chief minister instructed the deputy commissioner and the Imphal East SP to make arrangements for deployment of security personnel around the institute to prevent disturbance by unwanted elements.
The SIHM offers courses like BSc Hotel and Hospitality Administration, BSc Culinary Arts and Catering, BBA Travel and Tourism Management and Post Graduate Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality and Tourism.
The function was also attended by ministers Thongam Biswajit, Govindas Konthoujam, MLAs Th Shyamkumar, Sapam Kunjakeswor, Khuraijam Loken, Md Ashab Uddin, Th Arun-kumar, Th Shanti, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, ex-MLA N Indrajit, chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi and senior officials of the state government.