Some politicians hand in glove with those who want to break State : CM

IMPHAL, Jan 30
Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday claimed that too much politics over the ethnic issues in Manipur has confused the people and created internal conflicts, and a section of politicians are hand in glove with those who want to break the State, according to a report from the Press Trust of India.
Speaking at a programme at Khangabok in Thoubal district, Singh said that many people still do not understand the current issues in the State which is gripped by violence between Meitei and Kuki communities leaving over 250 people dead and thousands homeless since May 2023.
He said that the State Government's opposition is to the new immigrants in the State who are engaged in drug-related activities and not against anyone who has settled before.
“Our duty is to understand and realise who the real opponents are and who has launched attacks on us. We have to defend ourselves from them. However, too much politics has confused the people and created internal conflicts. Even some politicians are hand in gloves with those who want to break Manipur,” he said.
The Chief Minister, however, did not name any politician or political party.
“Those who want to break Manipur have used agents to provoke us. Such agents are in Imphal valley and are siding with those who want to break Manipur. We have to be careful about them,” the CM said.
Singh also asserted that Manipur will be saved and will not break.
"We are all one. (Members of the communities like) Thadou, Mate, Gangte, Vaiphei, Paite along with Tangkhul, Mao and Maram are all brothers. All those who have been settled before are all staying together. Our opposition was only to the new immigrants who are engaged in drug-related activities" he said.
Interacting with the locals of Khangabok during the programme at Khangabok Maisnam Leikai, UYC ground, the Chief Minister stated that many people have started rendering their support and cooperation in taking the State towards peace and normalcy.
He maintained that the State Government would always stand firmly to safeguard the unity and integrity of the State.
The Government had done nothing against any of the communities but will always stand against those vested interest groups trying to disintegrate the State, the Chief Minister said.
N Biren, after listening to the grievances and demands raised during the interaction, announced certain development works for Khangabok.
He announced to allocate Rs 50 lakh for installing water pumps at four paddy fields namely Louhonbi Loukon, Keipha Loukon, Kiyam Loukon and Tentharam Loukon.
He further assured to develop an open gym at Khangabok.
Appreciating the public's concern for conserving water bodies, the Chief Minister announced to include development projects at Ikop Pat and channel cleaning of Loukhong Pat with a cost Rs 1.2 crore each in the work programme.  
The interaction programme was also attended by representatives of local bodies, Self Help Groups, village volunteers, and the public of Khangabok among others.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Power Minister Th Biswajit Singh, Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, CAF & PD Minister L Susindro Meitei, MLAs Sapam Kunjakewor, Thongam Shanti, Khongbantabam Ibomcha and Md Abdul Nasir among others during the interaction programme.