Imphal: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today inaugurated a two-day Consultative Meeting cum Seminar on the Demographic Profile of Manipur at Imperial Hall, Classic Grande, Imphal. The event was jointly organized by the Home Department, Government of Manipur and the Manipur State Population Commission.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that ongoing bandhs, blockades and other forms of agitation along the highways have severely affected the economy of both the state and the country. He added that such agitations mostly hurt daily wage earners the most.
Khemchand Singh further said that the ongoing blockade has also caused serious problems for truck drivers who are stranded on national highways while transporting essential goods to the state. He assured that the state government is always ready to support any steps and actions that benefit the general public.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the discussions, the Chief Minister said that he believes that the suggestions and resolutions adopted by experts will be for the welfare of the people. He stressed that all recommendations must be within the provisions of the Constitution of India.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the public not to resort to any kind of agitation that may disrupt the normal daily activities of citizens.
In his presidential address, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that the Manipur government has already informed the Central Government of its willingness to conduct an NRC exercise in the state under the constitutional and legal framework. He informed the gathering that a High-Level Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has been constituted to study demographic changes in the country.
He further stated that although there may be political or ideological differences, people should come together for the larger interest of the public and work to resolve issues faced by the indigenous people of the state.
The inaugural function was attended by N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur; M. Manimoham Meitei, State Population Commissioner; Dr. M. Veto Singh, Secretary, Manipur State Population Commission; CSO leaders, community leaders, women leaders, intellectuals, academicians and officials of the Home Department, among others.
