Ukhrul: The president of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) David Shimray welcomed chief minister N Biren Singh, and his colleagues at Ukhrul headquarters Tuesday, invoking god’s blessings on him and the state government in its second term.
TNL president, speaking at the felicitation programme organised by Tangkhul civil society organisations at TNL Ground, recalled the hostile period during Congress regime under O Ibobi Singh as the chief minister. David Shimray said for more than fifteen years, Ukhrul was neglected on all governmental developmental initiatives.
“With the coming of the new government under N Biren Singh, developmental works have started to take shape, but several developmental works still remain unfulfilled,” stressed TNL president.
Thanking the chief minister for inducting Khashim Vashum of 45-Chingai (ST) Assembly Constituency as a cabinet minister in government of Manipur, a long cherished wish of the people of Ukhrul district, president David recalled how the district was denied the privilege for over twenty years. He also thanked N Biren Singh’s government for appointing V. Shangreipao as Chief Engineer PHED Manipur.
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“We are brothers and sisters, we want peace, we want good relationship between the Meetei/Meiteis and the Tangkhuls,” David Shimray empasised. He further pointed out the State’s government step-motherly treatment in repealing AFSPA only from Manipur valley, leaving out the hills. He categorically termed the State government’s move a trigger to creating two different Manipur States on the issue of AFSPA repeal.
“We feel unhappy,” expressed the president of TNL, the apex body of the Tangkhul tribe in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
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On education, David Shimray urged GoM to upgrade the only College in Ukhrul district headquarters, Pettigrew College to University and Ukhrul Higher Secondary School to a full-fledged College. David stressed on the importance of decentralization of State Departments, and the robust functioning of the 68 Sub-Divisions in the State with maximum staff to facilitate GoM developmental projects. However, TNL president reminded and appealed chief minister N Biren Singh and his government on the serious issue related to absentees of government school teachers, officers, officials not stationed at their place of posting.
The highlight of chief minister’s Tuesday visit was the state government proposal for two ropeway projects under Parvatmala: National Ropeways Development Programme of the Central Government that include Shiroy – Ukhrul – Mahadeva Ropeway and Loktak Ropeway; Water Supply Scheme with a project cost of Rs 95 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission-Har Ghar Jal Scheme in Ukhrul district with Rs 22 crore cap for Ukhrul town alone; Construction of Amusement Park in Ukhrul to be completed as part of GoM’s 100 Action Points for First 100 Days, among others.
The Tangkhul civil society organisations namely, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL) and Tangkhul Ato Longphang (TAL) also submitted a charter of demands to the chief minister.
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