Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh asked his Mizoram counterpart not to interfere in the internal matter of Manipur. However, he welcomed any positive suggestion from any leaders from our neighbouring states to end the ongoing crisis in the state.
All the Chief Ministers of the northeast including Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim have called up and offered their help to end the ongoing unrest. However, the newly appointed chief minister of Mizoram was speaking against the beyond constitutional mandate, which is interference in the internal affairs of other states, Biren said while participating in the state-level observance of Nupee Lan Numit 2023.
We have Manipuris in almost every state including Assam, and Tripura but he never instigated them to revolt against their own states, the Chief Minister said, adding that he never raised any question or suggestion to the Bru crisis in Mizoram.
Rejecting the statement of Lalduhoma, chief minister of Mizoram on Moreh, who asked Manipur police not to harass the Kuki community, Biren reminded his counterpart that Moreh is a border town of Manipur and communities including the Nagas, Meiteis, Kukis, Pangal or Tamils who are settling out there are all Manipuris.
Earlier, the Chief Minister led the Ministers, MLA and senior officials in paying the floral tribute to the departed women freedom fighters at the Nupee Lal Memorial complex on Tuesday.
A formal function was also held at the G.P. Women’s College, Central Hall, after paying the floral tribute at the Nupee Lal Memorial Complex, with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh as the Chief Guest. MLA of Oinam AC Irengbam Nalini Devi and MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC Sagolshem Kebi Devi also shared the dais with the Chief Minister as president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh mentioned the contribution of womenfolk in every crucial time of the State since time immemorial. Recognising the selfless contribution of women, he announced two initiatives taken up by the State Government in their honour, which included renaming of road stretch from Governor’s Traffic Point to Pureiromba Khongnangkhong as ‘Nupi Lan Road’ and the ‘Chief Minister’s Ima Nongthangleima Yaipha Tengbang Scheme’.
Elaborating on the newly launched Chief Minister’s Ima Nongthangleima Yaipha Tengbang Scheme, N. Biren informed that women who are above 40 years of age, with no source of income and not covered under any welfare scheme taken up by the Government, would be provided financial assistance of Rs. 6000 per annum (Rs. 500 per month).
The Chief Minister further recalled the role taken by Manipuri women in regaining their motherland from Awa during the Seven Years Devastation period. He also mentioned women freedom fighters of the State and their contribution to the cause of the motherland.
Continuing that many innocents had lost their lives and many got displaced from their homes, he sought the contribution of everyone in restoring peace and normalcy in the State.
Stating on the influx of Myanmar nationals inside Manipur’s boundary, due to war war-like situation in the neighbouring country, N. Biren informed that they had been given shelter on humanitarian grounds. However, their biometrics are being collected as a measure, so that it does not affect our indigenous populations, he added.
Concluding his speech, the Chief Minister expressed his condemnation towards certain unwanted incidents that happened at different places of the State, where groups of people harassed others unreasonably by taking the law into their own hands. He further appealed to the public to inform the nearest police stations if they come over suspicious activities, rather than punishing or harassing someone.
The other highlights of the observation at G.P. Women’s College included Nupee Lal Drama presented by the Nupee Lal Memorial Association Drama Party and the presentation of songs by the artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College, Imphal.
Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur, senior Government Officials, students of G.P. Women’s College and women from across the State attended the programme among others.
