Correspondent
IMPHAL, Jun 25: Positive developments taking place across the state, Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh asserted on Thursday while claiming the state is gradually returning to normalcy.
Addressing the observance of the 51st Samvidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day) at BJP Manipur Pradesh office in Imphal today, Singh also called upon the Meitei community to take the role of “big brother” to ease the ongoing tension between the Naga and Kuki tribes.
He described the conflict as unfortunate and said collective efforts were needed to maintain peace and stability.
Asserting that peace and normalcy has almost restored in Jiribam district, he said meetings have been held with members of the Hmar, Meitei, and Rongmei communities to promote peace and reconciliation.
For the Jiribam district, efforts were underway to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original places.
The chief minister stressed the importance of peace and normalcy for the state’s development while noting that the situation had improved in several parts of the state.
Reconciliation and mutual understanding is the key to resolve the conflict and for this collective efforts were needed, he asserted.
The chief minister further said that the restoration of a popular government after President’s Rule has enabled the administration to focus on pending developmental projects.
However, development cannot take place without peace, he said and sought cooperation from all sections of society to maintain peace and stability in the state.
Recalling hardships endured by the people of the country during the Emergency period, Singh said that the observance was meant to remind people of the excesses committed during the period.
He said that the Congress party gradually declined because people realized the mistakes the party had committed during Emergency. He said that during the Emergency, many individuals who opposed the Congress were put behind the bar which is totally against the democratic practice.
“Democracy cannot survive if people are denied the right to express their opinions freely,” he said.
While paying tributes to the brave individuals who courageously resisted authoritarianism, he said, “Let us reaffirm our collective resolve to safeguard the Constitution, strengthen democratic institutions, and preserve the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The programme held at state BJP head office was also attended by state home minister Govindas Konthoujam, BJP MLAs, and senior party leaders apart from a number of party workers and well-wishers.