Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who was addressing the people during a welfare benefit programme at Hapta Kangjeibung, has urged them to vote for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election citing successful completion of multiple developmental works across Bharat, including Manipur.
Mentioning about the “hard time” Manipur has been facing, CM Biren asserted the State “is returning towards peace and normalcy” and irrespective of “all the disturbances”, people-centric welfare schemes and development works have been continuing.
“Out of the projects worth over Rs 55,000 crore in the Northeast unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, multiple projects worth Rs 3,500 crore were dedicated solely to Manipur. Among the projects for Manipur, the Unity Mall holds an important place as it will promote and market local products of different ethnic communities in the State, fostering integration and unity among all sections,” stated CM Biren.
The CM made it clear that his administration has not targeted any specific community. He said, rather, “I started a war on drugs to protect youths from drugs. I started destroying poppy cultivation to protect forests, and from deforestation. I started taking biometrics of illegal immigrants. I am not working against any community. Then, why is there hate against me,” asked CM Biren.
“If any action is deemed discriminatory towards any community, I pledge to halt it,” he affirmed further highlighting the process of identifying illegal immigrants by the committee chaired by Cabinet Minister Letpao Haokip.
Exhorting people to maintain communal harmony and to coexist, he clarified individuals residing in the State prior to 1961 hold permanent citizenship status. The CM also acknowledged that a video depicting the public humiliation of two women has put the Manipur in a negative light with many demanding PM Modi’s resignation.
However, the fact that Meira Paibis actually saved the two from some men was concealed and that part of the story was not shown in the viral video, said the CM. He insisted people coming forward to protect the State should refrain from snatching vehicles, demanding ransom, not get diverted from their goal and everyone should properly identify their true friend and not make enemies of every community.
Expressing grief over impact caused by the recent crisis, the CM said deployment of State security personnel in the foothills and vulnerable areas is already in place and will be complete soon. Manipur Rifles and IRB battalions in Imphal and nearby areas are being shifted to foothill areas.
At the event, CM Biren handed over cheques of approximately Rs 17 crore to many labour and job card holders, financial recipients, students and pensioners through Direct Benefit Transfer-DBT ensuring transparency, faster and simpler flow of funds.
Besides, he inaugurated District Transport Offices at Jiribam, Kakching, Noney, Pherzawl, and Kamjong which will allow drivers, vehicle owners and others to update their necessary documents and required information in their own districts. It will facilitate registration, applying for licences and further enhance ease of doing business and commercial activities.
The CM hailed the Modi Government for granting the long-standing demand for Inner Line Permit and extending it in Manipur, border fencing and decision to scrap Free Movement Regime. Terming these moves as “monumental steps towards enhancing security in the region”, he said it demonstrates the government’s “commitment to creating a safer and more secure environment for all”.
CM Biren outlined the importance of strengthening ties with the Centre to bring more development in the State and subsequently to deal with “the situation in Manipur, to protect Manipur and to save Manipur”.
Exuding confidence, the CM continued, “BJP will come again at the Centre and so, we should elect BJP MPs from the State to strengthen the PM Modi-led Government.”
