Imphal: Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday urged people not to resort to bandhs, blockades or shutdowns even if they hold resentment against the government, stating that such actions adversely affect daily wage earners and labourers.
The Chief Minister was addressing a function during the inauguration of three bridges — Akham Bridge, Salam Bridge and Maklang Bridge — under Lamsang Assembly Constituency in Imphal West district.
Appealing to all concerned, Khemchand Singh said any grievances or resentment could be resolved through discussion and dialogue.
He said he had been entrusted with the responsibility of rebuilding trust among different communities residing in the state and added that his priority was to ensure people from various communities could travel freely through each other’s areas.
At Akham village, the Chief Minister recounted his recent visits to Jiribam district. He said he had visited the district twice — first by helicopter and later by road — and claimed that members of different communities, including Hmar, Kuki, Paite and Meitei groups, had agreed to work together towards restoring peace.
According to him, communities in the district were living in harmony and many people had started returning to their respective villages. He also said villages inhabited by Hmar and Kuki communities shared neighbourhoods with Meitei villages.
Khemchand Singh further referred to the bomb blast at Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district that occurred shortly after his return from Jiribam, in which two children were killed. He described the incident as unfortunate not only for Manipur and India but for the entire world.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by a local club in Akham village seeking the construction of a community hall, a dam and a water supply scheme, the Chief Minister assured that a new community hall would be constructed soon in consultation with the local MLA. He also stated that a dam project would be taken up after feasibility assessments by engineers of the Minor Irrigation Department.
At Maklang in Imphal West district, Khemchand Singh announced that the road from Patsoi Lamkhai to Manipur Olympian Park at Sangaithel would be developed and completed before the next Assembly election.
On the demand for a market shed for women vendors at Maklang, he said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was under preparation and would be sanctioned after submission. He also assured that the demand for establishing a Primary Health Centre in the area would be examined.
The Chief Minister said Manipur was unique for having markets run exclusively by women and praised the women vendors of Ima Market for supporting their families through the sale of vegetables and traditional garments.
Responding to another memorandum submitted by villagers of Maklang, he assured that proposals, including the repair of the Public Health Centre, would be looked into.
Officials informed that the RCC bridge over the Nambul River at Akham Mayai Leikai was constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore under the State Scheme. The pucca bridge over the Maklang River was built at a cost of around Rs 2 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) Scheme, while the pucca bridge over the Merakhong stream at Salam Mamang Leikai was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore.
The inauguration programme was attended by MLAs S. Rajen Singh and Kh. Ibomcha Singh, Chief Engineer (PWD) Chongtham Bishwachandra Singh, officials from various departments and local residents.
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