Imphal: Manipur has the will and power to deal with any external threat and interference to its security and integrity. We are ready to defend our land with all forces and resources till the last drop of blood, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday.
Participating in the observation of Kargil Vijay Diwas held at the Manipur Secretariat (South Block) Conference Hall, Biren also strongly condemned the use of abusive language against him in a solidarity rally held in Mizoram, which was also attended by Zoramthanga, his Mizoram counterpart.
The Chief Minister urged Zoramthanga not to interfere in the internal matters of other States and advised him to know his place.
Maintaining that the State Government had been observing all incidents happening in the State, he warned against those elements who are trying to distort the integrity of Manipur. He stated that the government would not succumb to any threat.
Continuing that his government would strongly stand against the demand for a separate administration, N. Biren stated that the current tension happening in the State is between the government and the elements who want to disturb the peaceful co-existence in the State.
He mentioned that tension erupted as the state government started acting against drug cartels. The government is not against the Kuki community who had been residing together in the State for a long time, Biren added.
The chief minister also condemned the resolution taken by the European Parliament regarding the crisis in Manipur and portraying it as a clash between the Hindus and Christians, without knowing the ground reality.
N. Biren appreciated the contribution of central security forces in the government’s initiative to restore peace and further stressed the need to work with more sincerity and transparency. He mentioned that protecting the lives of the people is the responsibility of the central and state government.
Stating that his government had been putting in every effort to restore peace and tranquillity in the state by holding talks with different stakeholders and representatives of different communities, the chief minister informed that the government had started constructing prefabricated houses at different places, to relocate those people displaced due to the current unrest. Steps had been taken up to ensure the supply of essential items at relief camps, he added.
The chief minister mentioned clashes among different communities residing in the State had occurred in the past too. However, the communities had been residing together again as brothers, after the problems were solved. As such, he appealed to all to cooperate in restoring peace, refraining from violence so that we all can live together again as before.
Speaking on the observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas, N. Biren stated that the day is being observed on 26 July in India, to celebrate India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War for ousting Pakistani Forces from their occupied positions on the mountain tops in Indian territory in 1999. He stressed the need to respect every soldier who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of the motherland.
Delivering his speech as president of the function, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand stated that the Indian army defeated the Pakistan army in the Kargil War, adding that the valour and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers had made it possible for us to defend the freedom and the integrity of our country. As such, the people of this country had been observing Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 to remember the victory brought by our brave soldiers.
Continuing his speech, Yumnam Khemchand appealed to all the people of Manipur to take part in bringing peace and harmony in the State, considering the hardship faced by displaced people due to the current unrest in the State.
Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, high ranking civil and police officials also attended the programme among others.
