CM notes ‘conditional support’ of KIM to NRC

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 11 : While commending the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) for conditionally supporting implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren has appealed to the Kuki community to come out for a dialogue either with the State Government or the Centre to address their concerns pertaining to NRC.
He made the appeal during a ceremony held at the City Convention Centre, today.
At the function, the Chief Minister distributed benefits of various Government schemes and launched some new schemes viz Product Catalogue, Special Package to Successful Start-ups for Employment of IDPs in Manipur, CM Yarn Scheme (including Muga Silk buyback), Revised Comic Text Book and Sportspersons Livelihood Guarantee Scheme.
Speaking as the chief guest, N Biren said that the Government of India doesn't have any intention to compromise even an inch of Manipur's land.
Saying that not all people oppose implementation of NRC in Manipur, the Chief Minister added that some of the chronic issues besieging Manipur will be solved to some extent if every person agree to update NRC in the context of Manipur.
NRC is one of the core issues which triggered the unrest in Manipur, he added.
Further stating that KIM's conditional support to implement NRC is a vital step to bring lasting peace in Manipur, the Chief Minister said an understanding can be reached by holding a dialogue on the matter (NRC).
The Chief Minister also reaffirmed his commitment to resolve issues related to drug trafficking, environmental conservation and the influx of illegal immigrants.
Emphasising on the various welfare initiatives taken up by the State Government since 2017, N Biren said that various initiatives like Go to Hills, Go to Village, Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang, Start-up Manipur, Widows Pension Scheme and others were taken up to bring equal development in the State,.
The unprecedented conflict in Manipur and the recent natural calamities, however, have hindered the developmental activities in the State, he added.
The Government has built three RCC bridges along the Imphal-Jiribam highway stretch, the Chief Minister continued and claimed there wasn't any RCC  bridge along the highway stretch in the past.
Appealing to the people to go and see the condition of Khongsang-Tamenglong road, N Biren maintained that going from Tamenglong to Guwahati and vice versa will only take six hours very soon.
N Biren also stated that a water supply scheme has been installed in Tamenglong.
Saying that the  BJP Government in Manipur was formed as a replacement of the Government which failed to take notice of the 14 years of fasting by Irom Sharmila against AFSPA, he added that they have removed AFSPA from several areas under the jurisdiction of different police stations.
Setting up of a Ethnic Park at Moirang is a testament of the Government treating every community living in Manipur equally, he said and added that it was BJP which introduced "Government at the doorstep."
Robinhood died in the movement to implement Inner Line Permit System in Manipur , N Biren recalled and added that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who heard the grievances of the people and implemented the permit system to enter Manipur.
Continuing that the Government has started collecting biometrics of immigrants and the same is proof of beginning the NRC exercise, the Chief Minister maintained that the people  however, gave their votes to those who oppose NRC in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
Appealing to the people of Manipur to be patient and control their emotion, he added that the Central Government doesn't have any intention to break the State apart. The Chief Minister informed that 68 medical teams have been formed to help the inmates of relief camps and they have been visiting relief camps twice a week.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister along with Ministers distributed benefits under 46 schemes to more than 4 lakh beneficiaries amounting over Rs 300 crore. The benefits will be transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiaries.
The benefits distributed today were CMESS for relief camps, special assistance of Rs 1 lakh per family for displaced families in relief camps, financial assistance for education of children, college students rehabilitation, hailstorm relief, flood relief etc.
The distribution of benefits under different schemes was also undertaken at different Deputy Commissioner's Office and Departments of the State Government.
The program was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Member of Parliament, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur, high ranking civil and police officials and beneficiaries of different welfare schemes among others.