Our Correspondent
Imphal, March 17: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led coalition government in Manipur decided to initiate a talk with the United Naga Council (UNC) to resolve the blockade issue in the State on March 19. The cabinet meeting’ first was held here on Friday with chief minister N Biren Singh in the chair at the Old Secretariat hall in Imphal.
Besides holding talks with UNC, the cabinet planned appointment of Pro-tem speaker on March 19 followed by election of new Assembly Speaker the following day, according to cabinet minister Th Biswajit. However, the venue of the government - UNC meeting is yet to be finalised.
The day’s cabinet meeting was attended by deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar, ministers including L Jayentakumar, Karam Shyam, Letpao Haokip, N Kayisii, Th Shyamkumar, L Dikho, chief secretary O Nabakishore, DGP LM Khaute, and secretary to CM N Ashok Kumar.
Meanwhile, the president of UNC Gaidon Kamei, speaking to media on the sideline of producing before the court here, said he did not want to make any comment since he is in the judicial custody. “I do not have any comment since I’ve already cut off from those working outside,” he said.Earlier, Gaidon and publicity secretary Shangkhel Stephen were produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East, and remanded both in the judicial custody till March 31.
Biren for emotional integrity: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh expressed that emotional integration of all communities in Manipur is the need of the hour to make a strong Manipur for which the Meiteis, the major community of Manipur, had to play a big brother role into it.
The chief minister Biren was meeting with titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba at Royal Palace here this morning. He appreciated the role of Kings in Manipur who had tied up with all the tribal chiefs of various communities in Manipur since time immemorial. The Chief Minister said that we are proud of being a ‘Manipuri’ who always feels that no one can suppress us. This is because of the kings who ruled in Manipur had protected the territory of Manipur and bestowed their love and affection to all the communities living in Manipur.
Now is the time for every citizen of Manipur to think and act on State’s integrity. One has to stop speaking venomous words to hurt the sentiments of others, he added. The Chief Minister appealed to all the citizens of Manipur to address them as “We” in place of “I” to flourish the unity and communal harmony of Manipur.
The Chief Minister said, “Manipur cannot be called a developed state unless both hills and plains are together develop. His government has a top priority for overall development of hill areas in Manipur. Cabinet meetings will be held in the hill districts.”
Stating that if the valley receives 100, hills will need 200 because of its different topography, he expressed the need to frame our budget according to the requirement of the geographical factors.
Selection of beneficiaries of hill people for different schemes will be done in the hills with the presence of the heads of departments.He revealed that the Central ministers had agreed to extend financial assistance towards the development of hill areas in Manipur; for which the State government is preparing a detailed project for submission to the centre.
Talking about the encroachment on Indian soil in Manipur allegedly by Myanmarese authorities, he said that he received an application from a Tribal Development Association.
He would send a team from the State government to inspect the situation at the spot and a report would be sent to the Centre for further actions.
MLAs to take oath: The oath taking ceremony of the newly elected members of the State Legislative Assembly will be held on March 19 and it will be followed by election of Speaker and confidence motion on March 21, according to a reliable source in Imphal. March 21 will witnessed address by Governor, motion of thanks, obituary reference, presentation of budget estimates presentation and vote on accounts,it added.
