CM interacts with internally displaced persons at Kumbi

Our Correspondent
MOIRANG, Feb 1: No one has been born yet who can break Manipur apart, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh at a public interaction programme held at Kumbi Government High School Ground, Kumbi Terakhong today.
"Manipur has a record of 2000 years of history. None has been born yet who can break her. We must come together and unite, and not insult one another. Victory will surely be ours," N Biren said.
The Manipur crisis has the people suffering. People have been killed and displaced. It is the duty of the Government to protect them and allow their return (to their original homes). The Government has been taking up all possible steps for the welfare of the IDPs, he said.
"The Government understands that people want the conflict to end, but this wasn't (conflict) started by the Government and it can't unilaterally declare it as over. The war is against those armed groups who want to break Manipur into two. In efforts to suppress these groups, many people have died," N Biren said.
"However, in the last 5/6 months, violence has subsided and peace has started to return. As such, I am here to discuss what can be done for the people," N Biren added.
While informing the public about welfare measures his Government has taken for the indigenous people, N Biren slammed the previous Congress Government for failing to issue Patta to the people of Napat.
"In their 20-40 years of rule, they didn't take up any steps to issue Patta to the indigenous people who have settled here for generations. After BJP came, the Government has given Pattas to 101 families," N Biren said.
Moreover, the BJP-led Government has implemented the Inner Line Permit System, scrapped the Free Movement Regime and started identifying immigrants, he added.
"The Government has not acted against 34/35 communities which have coexisted together for years. However, it is a must to stop the influx of illegal immigrants. It is therefore the commitment of the BJP Government to root out drugs, fence the border and stop illegal immigration for future generations," N Biren said.
These steps may take time and many obstacles will come, but "we must unite", he said, seeking public support.
On developmental projects, N Biren said steps will be taken to widen and reconstruct Kumbi to Wangoo Road.
An Ima Market will be constructed at Kumbi, and Terakhong Primary Health Centre will be upgraded to Community Health Centre, he said.
He further declared several projects in pipeline including a Rs 2.5 crore Mini Sports Complex, Rs 50 lakh for upgradation of Regional Pengba Seed infrastructure, construction of a Fire Substation at Kumbi.
During the programme, the Chief Minister heard grievances of internally displaced persons.
He instructed officials concerned to address the grievances and welcomed several individuals who have newly joined the BJP.
Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Health Minister Dr S Ranjan and Kumbi AC MLA S Premchandra and other MLAs attended the event.