Churachandpur, May 6 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh in his maiden visit here at Churachandpur district headquarter here after becoming the chief minister on Saturday appealed to forgive and forget in the past and start a new beginning to bring “equality and development.”
Chief Minister Biren was referring to the unfortunate incidents in 2015 wherein around nine persons lost their lives when protests turn violent against the passing of three bills in state assembly, while addressing a reception function in the hill town, about 65 km south of Imphal.
The function cum daylong seminar on “Communal Harmony: Bridging the Gap” was organized by Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) and Manipur Hills Journalists Union (MHJU) under the sponsorship of The Directorate of Information and Public Relations and supported by District Administration, Churachandpur.
Extending deep sorrow and condolences to the bereaved families of the nine deceased persons, he said, “Let us forgive and forget our past mistakes and let us start a new beginning, a new Manipur without having any differences and hatred among the different communities living in the state.”
Seeking support and co-operation of the people to resolve the issue at the earliest, he said, “Bringing equality in development is the first priority of the government.
Chief Minister said that the differences among the communities are seriously affecting the day-to-day lives of the masses rather we should strive for progress and development in the state.
He further said, “The government can’t concentrate only on problems and issues, it has also its principal responsibility to look after the people who are starving, youths who are longing to become successful ones.” He further said that the government will have a special plan for each district and the government would have a review meeting to monitor various developmental programmes taken up in Churachandpur and Pherzwal District next. He said a government team will be visiting Tamenglong, the most backward district of the state on Tuesday and review the development projects.
Assuring that a new building of Lamka Press Club would be constructed soon, he also handed over the ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakhs to each family member of the two labourers who were killed after militants attacked a General Reserve Engineering Force vehicle at Behiang along the India-Myammar border in Churachandpur district last month. Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian, Hill areas committee chairman TT Haokip and others also spoke on the occasion and it was followed by the day’s seminar wherein H Doungel, Ramkung Pamei, Dr A Ibomcha, Peter Adani and Lester Makang delivered lectures on media’s role in builring up communal harmony in the state.
