Imphal: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that the government has no intention of singling out any community or to act against any community, and further appealed to all against poppy cultivation, deforestation and drug trafficking in the State.
He said Manipur’s uniqueness lies in the fact that such a small State has around 34-35 communities and tribes living together, like a garden where different varieties of flowers bloom together.
CM Biren Singh was speaking at the Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi, where along with his cabinet Ministers, MLAs, MP Rajya Sabha, the Chief Minister was felicitated by the Thadou Inpii and its constituent bodies.
Further stressing that each community, tribe residing in the State have their own identity, and tradition well maintained and preserved, the Chief Minister further said that the government can assure the people that the government will continue to maintain these identities and traditions.
In a strong warning against hate-mongers on social media, the Chief Minister said “we live in a democratic society and we can express our anger, however, let us not forget that the government is monitoring social media for communal comments which can create misunderstandings, rifts between communities”.
He appealed to the people against making inflammatory comments which are communal and which could create division amongst the communities, create misunderstanding among communities. Let us not be negative to development, he said, assuring that the works taken up by the government are for the collective good of the State.
He continued that the government’s main target is that there should be no poppy plantation, or drug trafficking in Manipur and at the same time to preserve forests and encourage afforestation.
Meanwhile, replying to a memorandum submitted the Chief Minister said Rs. 9 crores has already been approved for the renovation of the Thomas Ground which will include a football ground, retaining wall, and a multipurpose hall as its component. The Chief Minister also assured the construction of Ema Markets at Saparmeina and Keithelmanbi.
Addressing the gathering, Textiles, Commerce and Industries Minister Nemcha Kipgen called upon all sections of the society and communities to work unitedly for the development of our State, without any differences of caste, creed, colour, etc.
She said the present government under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is a people-friendly government and believes in the oneness of the hills and the valley.
Under the present government, not only law and order has improved immensely, but the relationship between the valley and the hills has also been strengthened, she said, observing further that the government has brought positive changes in all sectors of the State.
Further highlighting the public support that the government’s ‘War on Drug’ campaign has received, Nemcha also said that the CSOs of the Kangpokpi area have decided to expel any repeated offender of drug trafficking.
As part of the programme, the Chief Minister also distributed Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to beneficiaries.
The felicitation programme was also attended by Ministers Thongam Biswajit Singh, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Letpao Haokip, Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh, Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, Heikham Dingo Singh, Kashim Vashum, MLAs, Additional Chief Secretary V. Vumlunmang, Secretary to Chief Minister Ningthoujam Geoffrey Singh among others.
Traditional songs and dance troupes highlighted the felicitation programme. The Gorkha community of the area also presented gifts to the dignitaries. The Chief Minister also interacted with students along the route.
