Manipur CM urges Meiteis to play 'big brother' role to restore peace
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Sunday said the Meitei community must play the role of a "big brother" among the state's communities to
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Sunday said the Meitei community must play the role of a "big brother" among the state's communities to help restore peace and ensure development. Addressing a Tiranga Rally, he said Manipur could move forward only if its communities worked together. He also urged people to join the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, saying the national flag reminds citizens that they must love the country like their own family. Singh said mistrust had been created among communities by certain elements and asked people to stand against those trying to disturb peace.
Read Full Story Recalling Manipur's past, the chief minister said various communities had come together to protect the state. "In the history of Manipur, several communities came together to protect the land. During the devastating Burmese war in the 19th century, community leaders united to defeat and oust the enemies who had occupied the land," he said. He also referred to Manipur's political history and said, "We must remember that the first speaker when Manipur became independent from British rule in 1947 was a man from the Paite tribe in Churachandpur." Stressing the need for unity, Singh said, "I want to stress that if Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas think of themselves only, Manipur will never develop and progress." Singh said the Meitei community must take the role of a "big brother" and preserve the land inherited from their ancestors.
"Also, I have suspicions that there are certain elements who have created mistrust among communities," he said. Referring to his recent visit to Jiribam, where he interacted with members of the Kuki and Hmar communities, Singh said a bomb explosion later took place at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, killing two children and critically injuring their mother. "Please think if such a despicable act would be done by any government. It would have been done by those who are against the government. The public must know and realise that there are elements who want to destroy peace and must face them," he said.
He urged people to take part in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign and work towards making Manipur a developed state, while repeating that peace and progress would depend on communities moving forward together. Ends
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