More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence in Manipur between hills-based Kuki-Zo people and Imphal Valley-based Meiteis since May last year

PTI, Jun 21 2024, Imphal : Noting that ethnic strife-torn Manipur was going through a difficult phase, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday asserted that his government will lay the path for betterment of the society.

Speaking at the state-level International Yoga Day function at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Singh said the current situation in Manipur is a turning point for indigenous people and their future and if things are tackled wisely, a safe and secure future is guaranteed.

“We shouldn’t allow emotions and politics to drive our actions, and in the process divert from the core issues. We know we are tired… but we have to endure it for a few more days. We cannot be happy without going through a tough phase,” he said.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence in Manipur between hills-based Kuki-Zo people and Imphal Valley-based Meiteis since May last year. 

Agencies: He urged people to strive for peace and “identify and face the real enemies of the state”.  While speaking at an event, Singh said, “We are passing through a difficult phase. This is not the first time that we are facing a difficult phase. During the 1992-93 ethnic conflict, more than 1000 lives were lost. Today, we are struggling. We are dealing with elements who want to break up a state with more than 2,000 years of history.”  

The Chief Minister further said that the state had not slept for more than nine months now, adding that more than 3,000 state forces have been deployed in peripheral areas.

Singh appealed to the people of the state not to foment disturbance in Imphal valley.

“Let the valley be peaceful. Let the protection of Manipur be our sole duty. No more rallies. Let’s identify and face the real enemies of the state,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said the state had improved a lot during the last six years, and the relationship between police and people had improved.

“However, we cannot tolerate elements who want to destroy the state by supplying drugs, by engaging in widespread deforestation and poppy cultivation and bringing in illegal immigrants from outside. We need to unite and stop making allegations. There may be lapses, but we need to forgive and forget to save the land,” said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister made these statements at an event where he laid the foundation stone for the Imphal Ring Road Project, worth Rs 1,766 crore, at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai.

The Manipur government has undertaken this much-anticipated project with the objective of easing the problem of traffic congestion in Imphal areas, with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Regarding the Imphal Ring Road project, Singh stated that the Rs 1,700 crore project was prompted by the rising population and increasing traffic congestion within the capital, Imphal.