CM Biren identifies core issues, Internet ban lifted

Chief Minister N. Biren has said that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar which allows people on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country is suspended at the moment and that the Centre has been requested to permanently close the agreement in the State.
N. Biren Singh also announced that as a precautionary measure, the State government had imposed a ban on the internet in the State, but it will be restored for the public from today.
Briefing media persons today at the Durbar Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat this morning, N Biren Singh highlighted some core issues to be taken up on priority by the State government.
The Chief Minister highlighted that for the past four months, Manipur is in an unfortunate situation, however, with full support of the Centre, cooperation of all sections including media, State government machineries MLAs and Ministers, for the past one month there has been a pause in gunfights and other violent incidents.
N. Biren Singh stated that the government has resolved to continue the functioning of the cabinet sub-committee which was formed with Minister Letpao Haokip as the chairmen to check and identify illegal immigrants coming from outside, with an objective to protect and safeguard the future generation of the indigenous people.
As biometric recording is necessary as preliminary to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the State government has urged the Centre to extend the time for Biometric process by a year in the State, he said adding that it is the first priority.
Further explaining the importance of border fencing to check influx of illegal immigrants, the Chief Minister said work for fencing along the international boundary by identifying some vulnerable stretches have been awarded to the Border Road Organisation.
Rehabilitation and resettling of displaced persons at their original place, is another priority the Chief Minister said, adding that around 700 displaced families in Torbung, some in Sugunu have been resettled in their original localities.
The government has to work for the rehabilitation, resettling of displaced persons, construction of prefabricated houses, deployment of security forces in vulnerable areas, but if there is unrest and turmoil in Imphal, how is the government supposed to take up all these works, the Chief Minister asked.
It is the police and the security forces that are guarding the State, the Chief Minister continued.
N. Biren Singh further said that the pause in gun fights witnessed over the past one or so month is because of proper deployment of security forces in vulnerable areas.
Security forces have also started entering Churachandpur on top of those already there with the support and cooperation of the people of the town, he said, adding that 25 persons have been arrested so far by the police in the district. Altogether 7 cases have been charge-sheeted.
Another serious issue is the missing of youth below 30 years from the society, the Chief Minister said highlighting the report of “Magnitude of Substance use in India 2019” published by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
Stating that the finding highlighted in the report regarding prevalence of alcohol use, ganja use, opiods and others in the State is quite alarming and concerning, N. Biren Singh expressed the need to strengthen the War on Drugs campaign in the State.
The Chief Minister said a joint committee of the Narcotics Control Bureau and Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB)has been formed to survey and destroy poppy plantations.
The Chief Minister said during the past two three months, certain splinter groups who don police uniforms and are armed have created an unrest in the society with a series of unwanted incidents like kidnapping, shooting of persons, etc.
The Chief Minister highlighted a few incidents including kidnapping of an engineer from Tingri by unknown armed persons in combat dress, kidnapping of a Kom individual, placing of grenade in at residence for extortion, among others.
The Chief Minister further lamented distrust and disrespect shown to the government by a section of the society and said that it is the government with the support of the public that is facing all the issues in the State. He sought trust in the government and said that the government stands firmly with the commitment against the breaking of Manipur.
Further speaking against the spread of fake news which helps create unrest in the State, he said we should be clear on who we are fighting against instead of turning against each other.
We should be very clear that we are fighting against forces which are trying to disintegrate and break Manipur, he said lamenting that certain organizations formed in localities seem to be dictating unrest.
Steps are being taken up to ensure that there is rule of law in all districts of the State with cooperation of the people, he said.
The Chief Minister further said that Airtel’s alleged leakage of internet service in Churachandpur has been found to be true and two employees have been subsequently suspended.
N. Biren Singh concluded with an appeal for all to join hands and stand unitedly including all indigenous communities including the indigenous Kukis brothers and sisters to rebuild the old peaceful Manipur and resettling the displaced families.
The press briefing was also attended by Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Thounaojam Basantakumar Singh, MLA Khumukcham Joykisan Singh, Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi.