Imphal, 15th August, 2024 (DIPR): The present turmoil in the state is unfortunate, but overcoming this and bringing back peace in the State should be the people's collective responsibility, Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh said today while attending the 78th Independence Day celebration at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade ground.
Manipur is for all 34 recognised communities who have been living together since time immemorial, he said stressing that Manipur is not only for the Meiteis or the Nagas of any one community. Manipur is like a beautiful garden comprising these recognised communities including Tangkhul, Meitei, Meitei Pangal, Vaiphei, Paite, Zomi, Hmar, Simte, Poumai, Anal, Lamkang, Mao, Maram, among others.
The presence of the many school students, police and armed personnel including Arunachal Pradesh IRB personnel as March Past contingents in the celebration of the country's Independence Day signifies a One India, Strong India and United India, he said.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to bring peace in the State, the Chief Minister said Manipur can be safeguarded from those trying to destabilise the State only when the many communities living together in the State stand united.
Stating that the present conflict is between those trying to break Manipur and those for united Manipur, the Chief Minister further stressed on the need for people to distance themselves from those trying to mislead people with their political agendas. It is time for all to stand united against any divisive forces without any political or personal agenda, he added.
The Chief Minister further stressed that we can bring peace if we work unitedly instead of instigating one another.
Manipur has also contributed to the country's freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said observing that in the year 1891 Anglo-Manipur War, our forefathers have also fearlessly fought against the British.
Stating that India achieved her independence on August 15, 1947, he said that the people of Manipur are all living as proud citizens of Bharat.
With the objective to transform India into a developed nation by 2047 under Viksit Bharat, the aim is to strive to increase Bharat's economy to 30 trillion dollars by 2047, he added.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that the people are continuing with the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign initiated under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav as part of the 75th Independence Day celebration by hoisting the tricolour at every household.
Shri N. Biren Singh also said that the people have given the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government another five years to serve them.
The Chief Minister also talked of the various initiatives taken up for the welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons affected by the unfortunate incident of May 3, 2023 and said that the IDPs are provided shelter at the Relief Camps and Pre-fabricated houses. He said the IDPs of both affected communities are provided with essential items and that benefits have been provided to 4 lakh beneficiaries under 46 schemes. The benefits of the schemes amounting to around Rs. 300 crores are provided to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer, he added.
Shri N. Biren Singh also talked of eight new schemes which were inaugurated including product catalogue, Special package to Successful Start-ups for employment of IDPs in Manipur, CM yarn Scheme, Revised Comic Textbooks and Sportspersons Livelihood Scheme.
The Chief Minister also highlighted developmental projects taken up in the State under 'Viksit Bharat, Vikshit Manipur' and said that the projects amounting to around Rs. 3500 crore also include two National Highway Imphal-Jiribam and Ukhrul-Tolloi-Tadubi.
The foundation stone for the Imphal Ring Road Project amounting to Rs. 1776 crore (approx.) has also been laid, he said and added that it will ease congestion of traffic in Imphal. The World's Tallest Pier Railway Bridge at Noney will be completed soon, he said and added that the 111 km long Imphal-Jiribam Railway project will connect Manipur's capital Imphal with the rail networks of other places in the country.
The State government has been providing assistance to those affected by natural calamities like flood and hailstorm in rebuilding their houses, the Chief Minister said. He added that the government will also repair all roads and bridges damaged in the natural hazards and disasters.
The government is also trying to improve health care facilities, he said, adding that under Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission and The Emergency Covid Response Plan foundation stones for construction of 11 Health Infrastructure have been laid.
He further added that counselling is being provided to assist people facing psychological impact of the recent violence.
Further in his speech, the Chief Minister also highlighted the digitisation of official work and stressed on the use of e-services portal, applications and websites. He also highlighted the launching of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in the State Assembly recently.
The Chief Minister further expressed the commitment of the government to work harder to make up for the lost time and take Manipur back to what it was before.
Meanwhile, as part of the function, the Chief Minister also hoisted the national Tri-Colour. Cultural dances were also performed as part of the function.
Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh also handed over Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Police Training for the Year 2021-22 to four police officers and personnel, Shri Ningombam Bhogen Meetei, Subedar now MPS, Grade-II, Shri Singam Inaocha Singh, Havildar, Shri Gurumayum Prameshor Sharma, Rifleman and Shri Ramu Bahadur Thapa, Rifleman.
The march past was participated by contingents from BSF, CRPF, Combined Manipur Rifles Contingent, Arunachal Pradesh IR Battalion, Combined civil police (male) Contingents (I/W & I/E), 9th IR Mahila Contingent, Combined civil police (female) Contingents (I/W & I/E), Manipur Central Jail, Home guard Contingents (male), Combined VDF Contingents ( I/W & I/E), Manipur fire service, Traffic Police, 14th BN. SR. NCC Boys and Girls, 65th Manipur Girls BN.NCC, NCC SR. AIR WING, Ananda Singh Hr. Sec. Academy, CC Hr. Sec. School, Ibotonsana Girls Hr. Sec. School, Johnstone Hr. Sec School, T.G Hr.Sec School, Wangkhei High School.
A combined band platoons commanded by Shri. L Brojen Singh, Jemadar 1st MR including CRPF Band, 1st MR Band, 2nd MR Band, 1st IRB Band, Home guard band (female), Imphal West VDF Band.
The function was also attended by the Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Shri. Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Cabinet Ministers, MP Rajya Sabha Maharajah Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLA's, Chairperson of various Boards and Corporations, DGP, top civil and police officials attended the celebration.