Northeast, 15th August: On the 78th Independence Day, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh reiterated his government’s dedication to restoring peace and unity in the state. Speaking at the Ist Manipur Rifles ground, Singh emphasized the importance of solidarity among Manipur’s 34 recognized tribes.
Singh condemned external elements that he claimed are seeking to destabilize the state and urged all tribes to unite. “This Manipur belongs to all 34 recognized tribes, and it is not the domain of a single community,” he asserted, calling for collective strength and unity.
Reflecting on the violence of May 3, 2023, Singh acknowledged the setbacks caused to the state’s progress but expressed optimism about overcoming these challenges. “Had it not been for the violence, Manipur’s current progress and development would have been unimaginable,” he stated.
The Chief Minister condemned the role of external groups in the unrest, emphasizing the government’s efforts to address the crisis. “We found that outsiders had infiltrated with the aim of breaking the state. It is chilling to think of what could have happened had we not acted,” Singh remarked.
Singh called for setting aside political and personal differences to achieve peace, highlighting the government’s support for affected individuals. This includes providing essentials, health services, and education to relief camps, relocating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to pre-fabricated houses, and implementing economic livelihood schemes.
Additionally, Singh noted central government infrastructure projects such as the 51.23 km ring road in Imphal and the 111 km Imphal-Jiribam railway project. Efforts are also underway to rebuild homes damaged by recent floods and hailstorms.
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