CM asks Meiteis to mediate between Kukis and Nagas

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 25: Claiming that there is no more violence or unrest in the valley, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand has appealed to the Meitei community to take the role of a big brother and mediate between the Kukis and Nagas who are currently caught in a conflict in the hills.
BJP Manipur Pradesh today observed Constitution Murder Day in memory of the widespread repression unleashed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 by declaring Emergency across the country.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the new Government formed after one year of President’s Rule has been working to restore complete peace in the State.
Saying that the Kukis and Nagas are currently caught in a violent conflict, he appealed to the Meitei community to don the role of a big brother and pacify both the Naga and Kuki communities.
He claimed that peace has steadily returned in the valley districts including Jiribam.    
Saying that he had visited Jiribam twice after the May 3, 2023 violence, Khem-chand went on to claim that all the communities viz; Hmar, Meitei, Meitei Pangal, Kuki, Paite and Rongmei are now living together peacefully.
With all displaced persons now gone back to their respective homes, there are very few or no IDPs at Jiribam, he said.
Highlighting the potential of Jiribam for evolution into a major commercial centre, the Chief Minister appealed to all the communities of Jiribam to foster harmony and work collectively to make the district a progressive one.
Khemchand said that a big scheme will be launched soon in the State at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but he stopped short of specifying or naming the scheme.
He said that Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi subjected all the people of the country to widespread repression by imposing an authoritarian rule after declaring Emergency across the country.
Saying that many people including from Manipur who protested against the authoritarian rule were imprisoned, Khemchand paid tribute to all those people who stood valiantly for democracy.
As a consequence of such wrongdoings committed in the past, the Congress party is fast losing its popularity and support while BJP has been gaining more and more strength, he said.
Khemchand admitted that BJP must learn a big lesson from the crushing defeat it suffered in the last Lok Sabha election in Manipur and added that the saffron party lost because the people of Manipur were furious against the BJP Government.
People were furious that the Government could not contain the violence which broke out on May 3, 2023 in time. But it was not the fault of the BJP or BJP Government, Khemchand said.
Nonetheless, it must be noted that even ruling parties cannot win elections if the people feel indignant against the parties, he added.
Speaking at the gathering, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam  appealed to all to respect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to each and every citizen of the country.
Whereas BJP has been working consistently to uphold the Indian Constitution, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly indulging in acts which violate the Constitution, Govindas said.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP has been working hard to create a new India where there is peace and development.  
The Chief Minister and the Home Minister also honoured individuals who were imprisoned for protesting against imposition of Emergency from 1975 to 1977 as well as family members of  those protesters who have since expired.
Apart from Khemchand and Govindas, BJP Manipur Pradesh president in-charge Laishram Minabanta, MLAs Kh Joykisan, Karam Shyam, L Rameshwor, Dr S Ranjan, H Dingo, Kh Ibomcha and former Rajya Sabha Member Ksh Babananda were also seated on the dais as presidium members.