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Our Correspondent
Imphal, May 28 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh appealed not to let any external influence ruin the peaceful coexistence among various communities of the state on Saturday.
Addressing the gathering after a mass plantation drive at Kanglatongbi-Kangpokpi reserved forest areas, Singh stated that indigenous Kukis were also bonafide citizens of India and added that ‘we should prevent illegal migrants from settling among us’.
Regarding the recent increase in the spread of hate speeches on various social media platforms, he reiterated that, “We should immediately put a stop to such activities as they will create communal tension among the communities of the state”.
Expressing his disappointment due to the construction of roads in reserved forest areas, the CM said that he was surprised as to why the Forest department and government officials did not stop such constructions, which eventually helped smugglers to take away timbers easily.
Maintaining that it is human nature to access the nearest available resources, he appealed to the Forest department and the deputy commissioner to identify and classify areas such as reserved forests, protected forests etc. and restrict human activities in such areas as per relevant laws.
He also thanked Minister Nemcha Kipgen, Forest department and local bodies for organising the plantation drive and added that it needs involvement from all sections of people.
Later in a tweet, he wrote, “Over the years, our forest covers have depleted at an alarming pace due to unfavourable policies adopted by the previous governments. Eventually, it led the people to depend on the forests to meet their needs. To address the issue, we have our policies and plans ready.”