Anti-drug drive gave rise to violence : CM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 31: Chief Minister N Biren has stated that the Government’s anti-drug campaign gave rise to the present violent crisis which has landed thousands of people in  relief camps.
Chief Minister N Biren and Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo today inaugurated Sekmai Ima Keithel and Kanglatongbi Ima Keithel.
Speaking at the formal inaugural function held at KSA Ground, Sekmai Koujengleima, Biren stated that the 398 Kms long Manipur-Myanmar border was left unfenced for a long time and a large number of people from Myanmar were allowed to enter Manipur without any documents.
The unfenced border and the unrestricted immigration gave birth to demographic balance, large scale proliferation of drugs and severe economic impacts.
In order to protect the future generations from the devastating impacts of drugs, the Government launched the War on Drugs, Biren said.
Now border fencing work and collection of biometric data of illegal immigrants have started.
It was the Government’s crackdown on drugs which gave rise to the violent crisis, Biren said.
He noted that a large number of families have been suffering pangs of separation and loss of loved ones.
Nonetheless, it is the people’s suffering and endurance which is leading Manipur in the right direction, he said.
The violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 has claimed many precious lives  of both hill people and plain people while thousands have been displaced and lodged in relief camps.
Together with the Government of India, the State Government has been working to shield the indigenous people from influx of immigrants, and bring about peaceful co-existence among all the communities who have been living together in Manipur since ages, Biren said.  
With programmes like Go to Hills and Go to Village, the Government has been working to bring about uniform development across the hills and valley.
Medical assistance of Rs 289 crore has been extended to 2.15 lakh people under CMHT so far. In the meantime, over three lakh people have benefited from  Prime Minister’s Ayushman Bharat Health Card, Biren said.
Today, Meira Paibis and the people have been working day and night to protect  Manipur and secure the future generations.
The scheme of providing rice free of cost to poor families has been extended till 2028.
The Chief Minister also hailed Manipur Police Housing Corporation for constructing the Ima Keithels of Sekmai and Kanglatongbi by maintaining proper standard.
Sekmai Ima Keithel was constructed at the cost of Rs 8 crore while Rs 5 crore was spent on building Kanglatongbi Ima Keithel.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for type-II and type-II quarters of Sekmai police station which would be constructed at the cost of Rs 68.7 crore.
After consulting with Social Welfare Minister H Dingo, construction of a football ground equipped with a gallery has begun at Sekmai Kangjeibung at an estimated cost of around Rs 7 crore, he said.
Stating that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah who extended the Inner Line Permit System to Manipur, Biren maintained that the people of Manipur ought to thank Modi and Amit Shah.
With 1961 already adopted as the base year for ILPS, people who were living in Manipur before 1961 would be treated as permanent residents of the State.
Facilitating influx of outsiders just because they look physically similar with local people would not be tolerated, the Chief Minister warned.
People who have been living in Manipur since before 1961 whether they are Paite, Hmar, Thadou, Vaiphei or Zoumi are all Manipuris.
Challenging the demographic balance of the indigenous communities by bringing illegal immigrants from outside the State would not be tolerated, Biren said.
Social Welfare Minister H Dingo pointed out that the people of Kanglatongbi, Sekmai, Khurkhul, Kangchup, Phayeng, Kadangband, Koutruk and Tairenpokpi which are all under Sekmai Assembly Constituency have been suffering extreme misery on account of the protracted violent crisis.
Acknowledging the relentless efforts of the people to save Manipur, Dingo said that many MLAs and Ministers including the Chief Minister took up several measures to save people’s lives and their properties.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren, the Government has been implementing several development programmes in Sekmai AC, he said.
If winter is here, can spring be far behind; the people of Manipur will         soon get over the difficult time and see happier days, the Social Welfare Minister claimed.
Ministers Th Biswajit, K Govindas, L Susindro, Awangbow Newmai, MLAs Karam Shyam, Kh Ibomcha and Th Shanti were also present at the function.