Biren bats for dialogue to sort out misunderstandings

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 21: Chief Minister N Biren has stated that all misunderstandings must be resolved through dialogue instead of staying aloof from the ‘issue’ by pointing fingers at one another.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the Statehood Day celebration held today at 1st Bn Manipur Rifles parade ground.
N Biren said that the critical situation besieging the State has exposed everyone.
Now people know all those groups which have been conspiring to ruin Manipur as well as those groups which have been working hard to safeguard Manipur, he said.
Categorically stating that only societies with strong discipline can participate in today’s competition, the Chief Minister sought people’s cooperation toward building a society of strong discipline.
He also called upon all the people to dedicate to the cause of united India and united Manipur.
“The present situation of Manipur needs collective efforts and we must tackle the situation collectively”, Biren said.
Around 36/37 tribes including unrecognised tribes have been living together in Manipur but not all the people know the identity of each tribe. It is essential for all the tribes to know the identity of each other, he said.
Moreover, very few people know about the flora and fauna of Manipur. That is why, a book “Know Manipur”, is being released, Biren said.
Saying that the book contains everything about Manipur, the Chief Minister stated that the book would be prescribed in schools and colleges.
The connotation of development cannot be confined to roads and buildings. Each and every household should be self-sufficient and attain a certain standard of living, Biren said.
In order to achieve such a standard of living, the Government launched the War on Drugs, drugs worth Rs 70/80 crore were seized, several drug factories were busted and many people were imprisoned, he said.
He called upon all the people to work collectively to eradicate the menace of drugs so as to take the society forward.
N Biren also talked about several initiatives implemented in the social sector with the primary objective of enabling people save their hard-earned money.
Maintaining that no State can be said to be developed until and unless all households prosper, Biren claimed that many parents have started sending their children to Government schools in place of expensive private schools after the Government launched the School Fagathansi Mission.
He said that free coaching is being given to students at different places through MOBC.
Talking about development projects, the Chief Minister stated that the Government has started executing a project of around Rs 400/500 crore in order to tackle the issue of floods.
In order to prevent encroachment, construction of a ring road has begun around Loktak Lake. Waithou water body is being developed at the cost of around Rs 40 crore and Imphal River Project which would cost around Rs 80 crore would be taken up soon, he said.
An amount of Rs 179 crore has been sanctioned for construction of concrete roads at hill district headquarters.
To enhance medical infrastructure in hill districts  including Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel with facilities like MRI and CT Scan, an amount Rs 100 crore has been sanctioned.
Football grounds with astro turf have been developed in all the hill districts, he said.
Stating that the challenges being faced by the State are varied and many, the Chief Minister underscored the growing need for strict vigil along the borders.
There is no guarantee that the issues besieging Assam and Tripura would not unfold in Manipur, Biren said.
On the occasion of the Statehood Day celebration, the Chief Minister presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to eminent theatre director Ratan Thiyam.
The Chief Minister’s Commendation Award was presented to Chandel SP Shivananda Surve, Kangpokpi SP Manoj Prabhakar and former Tengnoupal SDPO late Chingtham Anand Kumar.
Earlier, Chief Minister N Biren gave a general salute on reaching the 1st Bn MR parade ground before inspecting a guard of honour.
The Chief Minister also received salutes given by different march past contingents.
Many Ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, top ranking civil and police officials were also present at the function.
Moreover, two books titled “Know Manipur” and “Good Governance” were also released on the occasion.