The Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, on Tuesday said that whatever happening in the state was not only a mere law and order issue but a mixed up of issues which need to be reviewed and solved cautiously.
N. Biren Singh made the statement while speaking exclusively to the Northeast live Editor-in-Chief, Wasbir Hussain, on Tuesday.
Biren claimed that with the support of the people of the State and in addition to cooperation and guidance from the Union Home Ministry, the situation in the State is normalizing slowly and there has been no untoward incident taking place in the last 3 or 4 days.
Biren said, “The government is trying to restore normalcy in state at the earliest and we are contacting different personalities from different communities in the State and approaching them to bring normalcy with all available means.”
On the issue of the ongoing NH- 2 blockade, the Chief Minister said the government was trying to open the highways at the earliest and had sent government representatives to talk with the agitating people. He expressed hope that the blockade would soon be opened.
The NH-37 connecting Imphal to Jiribam is working 24×7 and adequate essential communities are available in the State and that there is nothing to worry, he said.
Regarding rehabilitation process of the displaced people, Biren said the state government has identified some areas in Valley, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Kakching and Bishnupur to construct pre-fabricated temporary houses to provide shelter to those who immediately cannot return to their houses and villages.
While expressing his satisfaction to Union Government, N. Biren Singh admitted his failure to bring normalcy in the State.
“I could not bring peace timely and that is the failure from my part, I should say,” He said.
The Chief Minister expressed his hope that normalcy would be restored very soon in the State and that he would resume the State Government’s ‘Go to Hills” initiative, and bring all the people together.
Stating that he had been continuously interacting with the people of the State during the last 10 days, Biren informed that he has also had telephonic conversation with some leaders of Kuki community and that he has sent the representatives of Naga leaders to Kuki villages to initiate talks.
On being questioned whether he would be willing to work with the ten Kuki MLAs again, the Chief Minister said, “Why not, we are inseparable, we have to live together, we are not against anybody, we simply have to find out the outsiders.”
“The Kuki, Thadou, Paite, Vaiphei, Gangte … they are all our family. We cannot be separated and they are inseparable.“
The Chief Minister further appealed to all communities in the State to join hands to bring peace and normalcy in the State of Manipur so that all can live together again.
There should be forgive and forget, said the chief minister and added that similar incidents had also happened in the State. He confided that things would become normal in days to come.
