IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that peace is a precondition for development of the state. “As a Chief Minister of Manipur, I too felt the same pain and sorrow over the unfortunate incident”.
The Chief Minister made the above remarks while attending the inauguration of Ebudhou Phunal Ningthou Telheiba-Santhok Ningthou Apanba organised by the Lai Haraoba & Village Development Authority (LHVDA) at Chanam Sandrok on Tuesday.
He said that amidst the government’s efforts to restore free movement along the highways for all communities of the state and the restoration of peace through dialogue and talks, the unfortunate incident of Tronglaobi occurred all of a sudden, in which two innocent children lost their lives. Such incidents caused pain and anguish to all communities, he added.
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Yumnam Khemchand also said that the case pertaining to the Tronglaobi incident has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and assured that the culprits will be booked.
Manipur has been experiencing difficulties on all fronts for the past three years following the outbreak of violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The problem is compounded recently following the problems between the Kukis and the Nagas.
Even today, four members of the Naga Village Guards (NVG) were reportedly injured following the gunfight between the former and the armed Kukis in Ukhrul district. The incident happened in Ringui village jurisdiction which started at around 10:30 am. Reports said the gunfight between the two groups ensued for several hours.
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It can be mentioned here that Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had said on Monday that “there is no other way to bring peace other than through dialogues and sitting together upon the negotiating table”. Khemchand had also said that the present unrest has brought hardships to daily wage earners and disrupted the academic environment of the children in the state. “The government alone cannot bring peace unless the public and the civil society organisations welcome it”, the Chief Minister had further said, reiterating his appeal to all stakeholders to come to the negotiating table to bring peace and a solution to all issues in the state.