IMPHAL/UKHRUL: Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand has urged political parties that speak about peace in Imphal and blame the government for the prevailing crisis to also go to the hill areas and work towards restoring peace.
Speaking at a programme at Lilong Arapti Kangjeibung in Keirao Assembly Constituency, where he inaugurated various development projects worth around Rs 32 crore, Khemchand said peace cannot be achieved by remaining confined to Imphal.
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He appealed to political parties to move beyond political differences and collectively work to bring an end to the conflict and restore normalcy across the state.
The chief minister said that, as far as development is concerned, there should be no discrimination based on political affiliations, as all development works undertaken by the government are meant for the people of Manipur.
He also said the prolonged crisis has severely affected the state’s economy, with around Rs 1,300 crore in GST revenue reportedly lost.
Khemchand further stressed the need for political parties and leaders to contribute towards creating an environment conducive to peace instead of limiting their interventions to criticism of the government.
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Keirao MLA Lourembam Rameshwar, speaking at the same programme, said no political party could be described as entirely good or bad, as every party has both positive and negative aspects. He cautioned against blindly following political leaders.
Referring to the demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Rameshwar said the demand had already been included in the BJP’s manifesto and maintained that the issue should not be viewed solely through a political lens.
He also said the present crisis in Manipur had not emerged suddenly and claimed that efforts should be made to address the underlying situation rather than further aggravating it.
Rameshwar said updation of the NRC in Manipur is necessary, particularly in view of the prevailing situation in neighbouring Myanmar and concerns over cross-border movement.
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