Newmai News Network
Imphal | December 21
Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh said that there is need for mutual respect among different communities and equal development to maintain unity in Manipur. He was speaking as the chief guest at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Namdunlong village in Imphal East district on Saturday.
Singh also maintained that there have been immense positive changes in the hill-valley bond in the past two and a half years.
"Now, people have no hesitation and apprehension in visiting or staying at any part of the State", he said, adding, people should never allow themselves to get carried away by any bad influence, which may undermine the "age-old fraternal bond" in the days to come as well.
Saying that there is "centuries old relation between Kabui and Meitei communities,” the Chief Minister said that the machete held by Kabui men in performing their traditional dance is used by the Meitei community as well in their Lai Haraoba ceremonies.
"It indicates that the two indigenous communities share common ancestry and have unbreakable blood relation", he observed and added that nobody can forget Kabui Salang Maiba’s story passed down from generation to generation in Manipur’s folklore.
Regarding Indo-Naga peace talks, Singh urged one and all to pray for a peaceful and honourable solution acceptable to all.
As a Manipuri, he said, he does not want to see the State getting disintegrated in any manner.
Stating that there is nobody in the world, who has not committed any mistake in his/her lifetime, the Chief Minister urged the public to adopt the spirit of forgetting past mistakes and forgiving fellow beings so that different communities may reside together harmoniously as in the past.
Stating that conflict and enmity won’t bring anything good, he said that sacred books of every religion preach people not to harm anybody because life is so precious.
Regarding Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, Singh clarified that the Act is not anti-Muslim, and added that there would be no impact on the citizenship of "Muslim brothers and sisters" of this country.
"The Act simply aspires to provide citizenship to the persecuted minorities coming from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh,” he added.
"As there is apprehension in people’s mind that the State would witness large influx of migrants if CAA is applicable in Manipur, the State Government requested the Centre to include a protection clause for the State", the Chief Minister said.
"Fortunately, the Centre decided to extend Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to Manipur thereby excluding the State from the purview of the Act", he added.
Claiming that there have been many developmental changes in different parts of the State including interior areas like Tamenglong and Tamei in the past two and a half years, the Chief Minister said that Manipur would become a developed State only when people allow the Government to keep on this momentum in the days to come as well.
"As such, there is a need to extend cooperation to the Government and help maintain peace and understanding", Biren observed.
Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency MP Dr R.K. Ranjan, Tamenglong assembly constituency MLA Samuel Jendai and Wangkhei assembly constituency MLA Okram Henry also attended the function as dignitaries.
Earlier, Singh opened the two-day Diamond Jubilee celebration by lighting torch and hoisting village flag. Traditional dances and music were presented as part of the celebration. The dignitaries also released a souvenir published in connection with the celebration.
