IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh stated today in Imphal that the government’s move to hold talks with the Kuki Zo Council is the first step to remove the trust deficit that exists between the two communities in Manipur. “It is also a step to bridge the gap between the two communities in an effort to bring peace”, he added.
The Chief Minister held a meeting with a group called ‘Kuki-Zo Council’ in Guwahati on Saturday evening. He said it was a good beginning that the Kuki Zo Council is willing to hold talks after almost three years.
The Chief Minister made the above statement while inspecting the Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Khuman Lampak, Imphal, today.
While speaking during the press briefing, Yumnam Khemchand Singh stressed that there is no buffer zone in the state. The government, however, identified certain sensitive areas.
Further, the Chief Minister maintained that Manipur is inhabited by 36 different communities and the state shall remain intact. “And let us forgive and forget the past for a better future”, he added.
In connection with the demand of ‘separate administration’, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced that Manipur’s territorial integrity will not be compromised. He maintained that he does not need to speak on an issue which has already been cleared by the Prime Minister.
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To a question on the movement of people on NH-2 (Imphal-Kohima Road), Khemchand Singh said the people are already travelling on the highway, but in lesser numbers. He said that there is still fear in people’s minds when travelling on the highway because of the trust deficit between the two communities. “This is the reason why I said that removing the trust deficit is my priority”, he added.
He then said that there is improvement in the law and order situation along the Imphal-Ukhrul Road.