Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday appealed to the public and civil society organisations to refrain from imposing bandhs, saying repeated shutdowns disproportionately affect vulnerable sections of society, particularly daily-wage earners, hand-to-mouth families and students.
The Chief Minister said the state government was making every possible effort to address issues and concerns raised by the people and urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the government instead of resorting to measures that disrupt normal life.
Expressing particular concern over bandhs, CM Khemchand said frequent bandhs could seriously affect the education of the students and their future career prospects. He appealed to organisations and the public not to resort to shutdowns while the government continues its efforts to address their concerns.
Referring to the deferment of the Census exercise in Manipur, CM Khemchand said the state government had been aware that the Census would be deferred but could not make an announcement earlier.
He also referred to the scheduled visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Manipur in October, describing the development as significant in the context of efforts made by the state government. He also acknowledged the contribution of MLAs and 14 civil society organisations (CSOs), which had travelled to New Delhi to press for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census.
Rajya Sabha MP Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, meanwhile, welcomed the deferment of the Census and credited the development to the efforts of the state government in conveying the concerns of the people of Manipur to the Centre.
She said the development showed that the present state government understood the sentiments of the people and was also capable of ensuring that those sentiments were heard by the Central government.
“The state government has fulfilled its responsibility, and the Central government has listened to the sentiments of the people,” she said.
Responding to questions from the media on whether the deferment had resulted from a court direction or a decision of the government, MP Sharda Devi said it was a decision taken by the Central government.
She said the Central government’s counsel had informed the Division Bench of the Manipur High Court that the Census exercise in the state would be deferred, and that the court had recorded the statement made on behalf of the Centre.
According to MP Sharda Devi, the court also appreciated the consideration shown by the Prime Minister’s Office towards the sentiments expressed by the people of Manipur. She further said the court acknowledged the role played by the state government in bringing the issue to the attention of the Centre.
