CM talks border management, arms smuggling at NITI Ayog meet ‘50 Kms of border fencing completed’

By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, Jun 11 : Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has stated that the overall law and order situation in Manipur has improved.  
Khemchand said this while attending the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, today.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister and NITI Aayog Chairman Narendra Modi.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his 'visionary leadership and strong commitment' to the development of Manipur.
He said that with the strong action of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and joint efforts of the Central and State Governments, the overall law and order situation in Manipur has improved.
Pointing to challenges from the conflict in Myanmar,  Khemchand stressed the need for stronger management of the border areas, better surveillance systems and joint action against drug trafficking, arms smuggling and human trafficking.
To check illegal arms and drug smuggling across the Indo-Myanmar border, the Ministry of Home Affairs has completed 50 kilometres of border fencing, he said, adding that work on another 80 kilometres has started.
On the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the Chief Minister said that with the Central support, major humanitarian steps have been taken up for the IDPs.
Phased resettlement is going on under the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Package.
Saying that around 11,000 families have been resettled so far, he added that the State Government is making all efforts to resettle the remaining families at the earliest.
He also thanked the Central Government for approving 5,000 additional houses under PMAY-G for 2026-27 and asked for more support.
The Chief Minister stated that the State has been moving steadily toward peace under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
The State Government has been working not only to restore peace, but also to rebuild trust and reconciliation among different communities, he added.
Khemchand shared that he visited relief camps in Jiribam and Imphal.
He also stated that he visited Senapati district via Kangpokpi district and met both Naga and Kuki communities during his visit to Ukhrul District.
The Chief Minister added that he interacted with IDPs of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts through video conference.
Talking about his visits to Jiribam for peace building, the Chief Minister said that he visited the district twice - first by helicopter and later by road.
He said that Jiribam has given new hope for peace as it was the first district where Meitei, Kuki, Paite and Hmar communities came together peacefully and shared a meal.
He also informed that IDPs from Jiribam have started returning to their homes, expressing his wish to repeat the Jiribam example in all other districts of Manipur.
He requested more help from the Centre to restore dignity, security and lasting livelihoods for the displaced.
In healthcare, the Chief Minister said that over 1.4 lakh free treatments worth more than Rs 181 crore have been given under Ayushman Bharat and the Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Tengbang scheme.
He added that Manipur now has the lowest Infant Mortality Rate in the country.
In higher education, the Chief Minister said that the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio stands at 35.5%, above the National average of 28.4%
There is much more to achieve in the education sector, he added..
He requested that Manipur be included in the National Research and Innovation Parks and Mega Educational Hubs initiative, with at least one regional node linking the universities, NIT, IIIT, and local enterprise clusters.
Khemchand said that Manipur is a land of great strength and strong hope.
Across its valleys and hills, among communities that have seen both rich cultural joy and the pain of conflict, there is a strong wish for peace, dignity, and a better future, he added.
He said the recovery in the State is real and visible — offices are working, schools are reopening, festivals have returned, businesses are reviving and citizens are walking with hope once again.
The Chief Minister told the gathering that Manipuri youths are now working in healthcare and hospitality sectors in Japan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Portugal and the United States under DDU-GKY.
He requested Central support for modernisation of ITIs and Polytechnics under a hub-and-spoke model with industry.
To help remote areas, the Chief Minister asked for more districts and blocks to be added under the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes.
He also sought accelerated support for Act East connectivity including National Highways, railways, and border trade infrastructure at Moreh, so that Manipur can fully fulfil its role as India’s Gateway to East Asia under the Act East Policy.
Concluding his address, Shri Khemchand reaffirmed the State Government’s resolve to bring Manipur out of the shadow of conflict.
He said that Manipur is marching steadily toward peace and prosperity.
The theme of the meeting was ‘Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047’, which focuses on the foundation for the future of States and the Nation.