Manipur will soon return to normalcy, says Chief Minister

IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said that the state will soon return to peace and normalcy with the grace of god.

He was speaking during the welfare benefits distribution programme of Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (MBOCWWB) under Department of Skills, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship, at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal.

Maintaining that his government hasn’t worked against any community, he said they had only acted against illegal drugs, poppy cultivation, deforestation and against those who entered the state illegally irrespective of communities.

Asserting that the cabinet sub-committee to identify those who entered the state illegally was chaired by Cabinet Minister Letpao Haokip, he said the people should all live and settle together like before, but understand that those who were already there before 1961 are permanent citizens.

Expressing sadness at the loss of lives, properties, and misery caused by the recent crisis, he said that the government has taken up all possible steps to ensure that such unfortunate events do not repeat by shifting the Manipur Rifles and Indian Reserve Battalions to foothill areas.

Further speaking on the issues of border fencing and decision to scrap Free Movement Regime, he said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, fencing of 10 km has already been completed.

During the programme, Labour Minister H Dingo said that around 26,000 would benefit from the scheme, while lauding the staff and employees of the Board for organising the event.

It was also attended by ministers, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Maharajah Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, Chief Secretary and Chairman of MBOCWWB K Sarat Singh.