Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday said divisive and communal forces were threatening to erode the fabric of the society adding that indigenous people of the state lived together peacefully for ages.
On the occasion of the Patriots’ Day, the Chief Minister paid tributes to the freedom fighters who laid down their lives fighting against the British in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. He said that history teaches the importance of unity.
“When we are divided, we are vulnerable. We must be vigilant against those who seek to divide us and proactive in building a society where every community feels valued and included. Let this day be a reminder of our shared values and a call to action for a united and prosperous future,” CM Singh said.
The Chief Minister said: “Our forefathers valued freedom and sovereignty of their motherland more than their own lives. It is time for our present generation to reflect on such values that guided their actions and adopt a collective stance against any divisive force in our state.”
He said in a post on the X: “On this solemn occasion of the Patriots’ Day, I paid my heartfelt tributes to our brave forefathers at Hicham Yaichampat and the Temple of Thangal General. As we reflect on their legacy, let us draw inspiration from their valor and commitment to unity, diversity, and progress. May their bravery continue to guide and motivate us as we work towards a prosperous future for our beloved Manipur.”
Singh stressed the need for reorganization of state’s district boundaries in the house of state legislative Assembly on Monday, the last day of the monsoon session.
No opposition member took part in the sitting as the Congress legislators boycotted the sitting after they staged a walk-out on Friday (August 9) after the Speaker rejected their proposal to discuss the ongoing crisis while seeking the house to resolve to have an audience with the Prime Minister on the issue.
While discussing a call attention motion moved by NPF member Leishiyo Keishing on the issues related with the manner in which the districts were created in the state, the chief minister N Biren Singh acknowledged the flaws in the formation of districts in the state from the very beginning.
He said that although the districts were created officially for administrative conveniences. But in the state, the districts were created for political advantages and not for good governance.
He said that the district jurisdiction of Kangpokpi district which was created by curving out from Senapati district extended up to Bishnupur district.
Singh further said that there was evidence that the districts were created based on ethnic lines and emphasized on the need for re-organization of district boundaries.
NPF member Leishiyo Keishing, raised the issue as calling attention motion in the house of the state Assembly while expressing his serious concerns over the manner in which seven new districts were created way back in 2016.
He pointed out that the formation of Kangpokpi district, formerly known as SADAR Hills, was carried out despite several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed between the Centre and the affected parties.
These agreements, according to Leishiyo Keishing, were disregarded in the process.
At least 226 people have been killed, 1,500 injured and 60,000 displaced since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year.
