IT News
Imphal, Dec 18:
People of Senapati especially Civil Society Organisations like Naga Peoples’ Organisation, United Naga Council, student associations have a big role to play in maintaining Manipur’s unity, integrity and peaceful coexistence of all indigenous population in the State, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said today, seeking support and cooperation of all indigenous and recognised communities of the State in restoring normalcy and peace in the State.
The Chief Minister was speaking as the Chief Guest of the inaugural function of the RobvenaNi 2024 festival at Asufii Robvena Ground, Punanamei Village, Senapati District. N. Biren Singh had earlier declared the RobvenaNi 2024 festival open and lit the inaugural fire of the three-day festival at the ground.
N. Biren Singh said Manipur has been facing an unfortunate situation for the last 19 months, but with God’s grace the situation has started to slowly improve.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister had applauded the festival for encouraging the theme of reconciliation amongst all individuals or groups and said the idea has become requisite everywhere today.
He explained that all humans are bound to err, but there should be room for reconciliation and to forgive and forget through meetings and talks.
N. Biren Singh also stressed on the importance of equal development and said that without mutual respect among the people and inclusive development across the State, there can be no unity, peace and development in Manipur. He also said we need love and respect for one another.
He said that the Go to Hills was initiated and taken up to fulfill this idea of equal development in both the hills and valley. He said that the government wanted to bring a landscape change by bringing more development to the hills.
The government was 70-80 percent successful in the endeavor, the Chief Minister said, highlighting the developmental projects taken up in Senapati District alone including construction of Indigenous Sports Complex, District Youth Skilling, Entrepreneurship & Employment Centre, Senapati, laying of astro turfs, soon to be complete IIIT among others.
He also highlighted that special health facilities like MRI, CT scan and others will be installed in hill districts like Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also said that the State has witnessed improvement in road connectivity and stressed that Union Minister of Road, Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced Rs. 777 crores (approx.) for improvement and widening of Shangshak (Ukhrul) to Tengnoupal road.
He said the Maram-Peren Road will also be completed at the earliest.
Further, highlighting developmental works in the State, the Chief Minister said that Tamenglong is not what it was before and stressed on the improved condition of Khongshang to Tamenglong road stretch.
N. Biren Singh also spoke on the benefits of Go to Village, CMHT and Ayushman Cards.
There are 34-35 recognised tribes which include 24-25 indigenous tribes and some other old settlers, the Chief Minister said, highlighting that the Sangai Ethnic Park was constructed with traditional huts for each and every recognized tribe and community to encourage unity in the State.
N. Biren Singh also highlighted the ills of drug menace in the society and said that the War on Drugs was started in 2018 to save the present and future generations from illegal drugs. It was not against anybody, he said.
Identification of illegal immigrants was initiated through proper constitutional provisions after witnessing growth of unrecognized villages through satellite mapping and considering that populations of the indigenous tribes are very less, he added.
However, there have been some misunderstandings and unfortunate events leading to loss of lives and properties, he said, adding that he is seeking support of people of Senapati district in restoring peace and normalcy in the State.
Mao people have a Mao Bazar in Imphal, he said, adding that the government is planning to construct a Unity Mall with stalls to accommodate every recognized tribe in Imphal East.
The Chief Minister also said that Multi-Storey Car parking is only in Senapati and it is not present even in Imphal.
N. Biren Singh also highlighted the lack of land resource in Senapati District and the need to expand Senapati Town, highlighting that with time there is population growth and development, infrastructural growth.
The Chief Minister also extended his warm wishes for Christmas to the people.
Welcoming the gathering, the chief host of the inaugural programme, Shri Losii Dikho, MLA of Mao A/C stated that Robvena is the collective identity of the descendants of ancestor Robveo, who first settled at Robvedzü (Punanamei) and now comprise of 3 villages namely, Robvemai, Robve Chobongho (Chowainu) and Robve Solephe. He also briefed the history of the village and its achievements in the field of education and religion as pioneers. He mentioned that a get -together celebration of Robvena community is often organised from time to time.
Later, the Chief Guest of today’s programme N. Biren Singh accompanied by Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam and other dignitaries visited the 21 exhibited stalls showcasing handlooms & handicrafts, organic vegetables and food stalls.
