Imphal, Apr 5: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has said that Jiribam has created a history by becoming the first district in Manipur where all communities sit together in the restoration of peace after three-years of unrest.
Addressing the people during a “Community Interaction Programme” held at New Alipur Rongmei Naga village in Bidyanagar on Saturday, Jiribam, bordering Assam, the chief minister said that as his government completes two months in power, he decided to visit Jiribam for the second time as people belonging to different communities have agreed to sit together under one platform. “People of Jiribam are the most broad minded in the state,” he said, the statement also said.
According to the statement from the chief minister’s office, during the programme, Khemchand interacted with the internally displaced persons (IDP) belonging to the Meitei community, Kuki, Paite and Hmar tribes. He mingled with the crowd and listened to their grievances. A Meitei woman IDP explained to him the fear of returning home while a young Hmar tribal girl narrated the difficulties in getting a government job for the people in backward areas, the statement added.
A Kuki village leader told the chief minister that he was ready to return home as he trusted his government while he termed the majority Meitei community in Jiribam are broad-minded, said the statement. A Paite villager wanted him to continue the peace building measures and said the Meitei local leaders of Jiribam are helping the peace process, the statement also said.
Khemchand said that his government is trying all out to help the IDPs in whatever capacity he can. “I may not fulfil all your wishes, but I will continue to help you all in whatever way I can. Everyone always wanted to return home and our government is making every effort to help the IDPs in the construction of new houses,” he said.
The Chief Minister today travelled to Jiribam district bordering south Assam by road on national highway 37 covering over 220 km in a span of six hours, the statement further said.
The Chief Minister also visited Jiribam District Hospital at Ningshingkhul and inspected the facilities available in the hospital. He said in the Hospital that many specialist doctors are reluctant to be posted at Jiribam. Stressing the need to streamline and improve the health sector, he said a transfer policy for the health professionals is needed to be adopted in a transparent manner. He assured all help to the Jiribam district hospital.
During the trip, nine BJP MLAs and Manipur unit BJP president, A. Sharda Devi accompanied the chief minister, the chief minister’s office added.
