Manipur not an ethno exclusive State: Ngamthang Haokip
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 21 2012:
"Manipur does not belong to single community.
Manipur is the motherland of all indigenous communities and the integrity of Manipur can never be compromised", stated IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip.
Ngamthang Haokip was speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Ching-Tam Development Society at New Keithelmanbi in honour of MP Th Meinya, Konthoujam AC MLA K Sarat and himself.
He claimed that the Ching-Tam Development Society comprising Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis was set up under his guidance in 1999-2000 with a vision to restore age-old fraternal bond among different indigenous communities of Manipur.
Youngsters of today should never try to overlook the fact that older generations of Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas lived together in harmony without any distinction between hills and plain.
Stating peace is a must for development in Manipur, Ngamthang appealed to the gathering to find a space in New Keithelmanbi area where a market shed can be built in order to facilitate exchange of goods produced in the hills and the valley.
He also appealed to the local leader to identify a site where a community hall can be constructed in accordance to the people's wish.
To address the problem of water shortage, the PHED Minister would be urged to build a water reservoir.
MP Dr Th Meinya stated that frequent mingling and exchange of ideas can fasten the fraternal bond among different communities of the State.
Observing that certain positive changes are visible in the power situation on account of the Chief Minister's relentless efforts towards this end, the MP sought cooperation on behalf of Electricity Department.
MLA K Sarat while acknowledging the efforts of the Ching-Tam Development Society to restore peace and harmony among different communities, declared that an office building for the society would be constructed from his Local Area Development Fund.
As long as differences in ethnicity and religion are not over emphasised by the indigenous communities, no force can challenge the integrity of Manipur, Sarat asserted.