Correspondent
IMPHAL, MAY 22: Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday called for an end to the bandh and blockade culture while reiterating his appeal for resolving all issues through discussion and dialogue.
The chief minister’s remark came in the backdrop of total shutdowns and economic blockades in the hill districts of the state amid the persisting tensions over the hostage stand-off between the Naga and Kuki tribes.
Singh said that the public should come forward for talks and not engage in bandhs or blockades whenever there were frustrations or anger towards the government.
“Even if people have resentment against the government, they should not resort to bandhs, blockades or shutdowns as it only hits hard the daily wage earners and labourers,” he said.
Addressing a government function related to the inauguration of three newly constructed bridges in Imphal West district, the chief minister reiterated that any resentment can be resolved through discussion and dialogue.
Stating that he has been given the responsibility to build trust among various communities residing in the state, he said, “My task now is to ensure the people of different communities freely travel in each other’s communities’ areas.”
Narrating his recent visit to Jiribam district, the chief minister said that he visited the district twice, first by helicopter and second by road, and every community of the district such as Hmar, Kuki, Paite and Meitei sat together and agreed to work towards bringing peace.
“These communities are living in harmony and they are returning to their homes in their respective villages. These villages inhabited by Hmar or Kuki shared neighbourhoods with Meitei villages,” he added.
The chief minister further narrated that just after returning from Jiribam, a bomb blast occurred at Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district killing two innocent kids the next day.
“It was an unfortunate incident not only for Manipur and India, but for the entire world,” he said.
The incident also caused disruptions to the economy of the state due to shutdowns and bandhs” he asserted. The three bridges inaugurated on Friday were at Akham, Salam and Maklang under Lamsang Assembly Constituency in Imphal West district.
During the events, locals submitted memorandums to the chief minister highlighting their grievances owing to the poor developmental infrastructures.
Replying to one of the memorandums seeking construction of a women market shed at Maklang area, the chief minister informed that the concerned department had already prepared DPR for the same and it would be sanctioned once the DPR is submitted.
The chief minister continued that nowhere in the world, except Manipur, is a market exclusively run by women. He praised the women vendors for their courage and will power to run their families by just selling vegetables and traditional garments in the Ema Market. Some MLAs and officials of various departments were among others who attended the inauguration events.