CM interacts with Meitei, Hmar IDPs at Jiri

DIPR/OSR
JIRIBAM, Feb 11: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand visited Jiribam on Wednesday and called upon everyone to work towards removing whatever trust deficit that exist among the communities of the State.  
The Chief Minister interacted with both Meitei and Hmar IDPs at Jiribam, and underscored the need for rebuilding the concept of Manipuri.
Soon after arrival at Jiribam, Khemchand went straight to the PWD guest house where he paid floral tributes to a photograph of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
MLA Achab Uddin and many other BJP workers joined Khemchand in paying floral tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
The Chief Minister then visited the relief camp housing Meitei IDPs at Jiribam Higher Secondary School campus where he interacted with the inmates.
The Chief Minister told the inmates that everyone should work towards removing the trust deficit.
“Jiribam is the gateway to Manipur and has a potential to become a business hub. Just as Mumbai is India’s business capital, Jiribam can be Manipur’s Mumbai. For the business to flourish, peace has to come first,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that there must be harmony and unity among all the communities living in Jiribam district in order to bring rapid development to the district.  
Khemchand also assured that the Government will step up resettlement and rehabilitation measures.
The Chief Minister then visited Kalinagar relief camp housing Hmar IDPs.
“Let us consider the last two years was a nightmare, let us forget it and have the courage to move forward towards peace and development,” Khemchand said.
He said that he came to Jiribam with a message of peaceful co-existence.
As the Hmar IDPs were all Christians, the Chief Minister stated that Christianity teaches forgiveness and fostering love for neighbours and even enemies.
Saying that the Government has been working hard to restore complete peace and normalcy in Manipur, he appealed to all the communities of Jiribam to let bygones be bygones and focus on making Jiribam a developed district in all aspects.
Khemchand asserted that  Manipur will never be allowed to break apart.
He then visited Jarolpokpi Hmar village, which had experienced violence during 2023.
It was the second time  Khemchand visited Kuki-Zo villages since December 8 last when he visited a Kuki hamlet at Litan Sareikhong in Ukhrul district and interacted with IDPs belonging to Kukis.
“I feel someone is trying to destroy the concept of Manipuri. First, we are Indian and then we are Manipuri. We can be Manipuri Naga, Manipuri Kuki and Manipuri Meitei. We need to rebuild the concept of Manipuri,” he asserted.
The Hmar villagers pledged full support to the new Government and urged Khemchand to take care of the needs of the tribal village, particularly the school building.
The Chief Minister then visited Mongbung Meitei village and interacted with the villagers.
The villagers earlier requested the Government to repair the existing village road.
While assuring that the particular road will be constructed, Khemchand told the villagers that both sides should start interacting with each other in order to remove the trust deficit.
“Since I took oath as Chief Minister last week, my trip to Jiribam is the first one outside Imphal. I feel Jiribam is the most important place in Manipur and has the potential to become a business centre. For Jiribam to become a business hub, peace is essential,” he added.
The Chief Minister told the IDPs that their concerns are being addressed by the district administration.
He said that the houses are being constructed for the homeless IDPs and the houses are expected to be completed by March.
During his interaction with inmates at the Jiribam Higher Secondary School campus, the Chief Minister presented a wheelchair to an elderly woman under the Palliative Care Scheme.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters on the sideline of the visit, the Chief Minister stressed his commitment to a unified Manipur, free from any kind of division based on caste or  community lines.
On the resettlement process of IDPs, Khemchand noted that efforts had already begun during the President’s Rule.
He said that his Government has also taken up resettlement and rehabilitation measures.
He indicated that while it is still early in his tenure to announce specific timelines or methods for resolution, his Government is dedicated to addressing these challenges.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of IRB barracks at the 87-Bn CRPF Hqs.
He also appealed to all organisations, Meira Paibis, local clubs and groups under SoO agreement to work  for restoration of peace in Jiribam.
On being enquired if the Government has taken up any measures to enable people move freely and with a sense of security on Imphal-Jiribam highway, the Chief Minister stated that he was visiting Jiribam to bridge the trust deficit that existed among the communities and pave way for normalcy.  
Yumnam Khemchand left for Jiribam from Kangla helipad at 10 am.
On his arrival at Bidyanagar helipad, he was warmly received by MLA Achab Uddin District Administration led by Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam Krishna Kumar along with Superintendent of Police Prakhar Pandey, ADC Jiribam Th Manoranjan Singh and other officials.