Signing of SoO with one Meitei militant group CM Biren clarifies

Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the process of signing a Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Government of India with one of the Meitei militant groups is underway. But it is not known whether it was inked or not.
He said this when asked by a media person regarding the spread of unconfirmed reports of the government of India signing an SoO with one of the Meitei-based militant groups.
The query was raised today on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of various projects held at Leitanpekpham Playground in Andro, Imphal East.
“The process of signing an SoO with the Government of India with one of the banned meitei-based groups is underway. But whether it was ink or not I have no idea.
If anything like that happened, they should have told me. But the process is there,” replied N Biren Singh and added that if it is being signed, people will be happy as it will help in bringing peace.
Participating in the foundation stone laying ceremony as chief guest, N Biren Singh said that the central government has special concern for the people of Manipur.
Their actions and reactions showed that when Manipur was struggling with its current crisis.
He said that the European Union and the United Nations have considered the current crisis in Manipur as Hindu versus Christian, majority versus minority.
However, the central leaders clearly clarified all such misconceptions. Even the National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared a foreign conspiracy behind the Manipur violence and waging war against the Government of India.
Explaining about the implementation of Inner Line Permit System (ILP) in Manipur, he said that the ILP system should be implemented in a state where 95% of the total population is tribal.
But in exceptional cases the Government of India implemented it in Manipur even though more than 50% of the population is common.
He urged the people of the state to co-operate and cooperate to maintain the age-old unity and integrity among the 34 ethnic groups of the state.
The State Government shall make all efforts to live in peace with the indigenous people of the State. Above all, the state government will not tolerate all the problems related to illegal immigration, poppy cultivation and deforestation for the sake of future generations.
N. Biren Singh said that the government has to continue development work for the welfare of the people, even though the state is witnessing a tough period of law and order situation. Similarly, the foundation stone laying program is being organized.
He also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives of people of both communities in the conflict. Stating that the government is making all possible efforts to restore peace and normalcy, he sought public support in the government’s initiative for the same.
On a memorandum submitted by the students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Andro N. Biren said the state cabinet has decided to provide ex-gratia to the families of the victims of the accident at Thambalnu Higher Secondary School, Yairipok and added that it will be handed over soon.
He also informed that the government will consider the proposal to upgrade KGBV, Andro to Higher Secondary after consultation.
Speaking on the current controversy in the state, Minister for Construction, Govindas Konthoujam said that the state government’s initiative to conserve forests and nature, its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the state and illegal immigrants. Identity is the real reason. Get out of the current turmoil.
Highlighting the Union Home Ministry’s order to identify illegal immigrants in the state and the probe being conducted by the National Investigation Agency to find out the root cause of the violence in the state, he said that the central government should take Manipur. There is a lot of concern for the people of .
He further said that considering its importance in the improvement of the economy, the construction of Ima Markets was started in the hilly districts.
He also emphasized the importance of good road infrastructure for economic development.
The minister informed that the project of construction of Imphal-Yairipok road covering about 26 km with a cost of about Rs.2000000. 89 crore was released in the Central Road Infrastructure Fund in 2022-23.
However, the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways had not approved any plan for this year.
The state government had included it as a priority in this year’s proposal, assuring that the road would be repaired once the proposal was approved.
Chairman, Manipur Tourism Corporation Limited, Th. Shyam Kumar; Chairman Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Ibomcha; Wangoi’s MLA AC Kh. Loken, MLA of Wangkhei AC, Th. The program was attended by Arun Kumar, village chief of Andro, senior government officials, students and people of Andro.