Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday stated that the state government is planning to hand over the recent Churachandpur ambush case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
Biren made the statement on the sideline of the Manipur State Award for Literature award ceremony held at JN Dance Academy when asked by media persons; the ceremony was organised by the directorate of Language, Planning and Implementation.
With an FIR already lodged, the CM said that the state government is planning to hand over the case to NIA. For this, an initiative has been taken up to write a letter to the agency, Biren added.
Replying to a query on Manipur being listed among high risk states in the website of India Travel Advisory, Biren said that everyone has witnessed how much law and order has improved. The said website may have failed to update their information in accordance with the changing scenario and the state government will take steps to change it, the chief minister said.
Manipur State Award for Literature for the year 2020 was presented to Beryl Thanga, also known as Laishram Biramangal or Beryl Thanga for his novel "Ei Amadi Adungei gi Ithat", which was published in 2015.
(PHOTO: Facebook)
Addressing the function, Governor La Ganessan congratulated the awardee for his contribution in the field of Manipuri literature.
He said that Manipuri language is one of the advanced languages among the Tibeto-Burmese languages of India. The role of Manipuri writers is also immense in achieving this recognition and included as 22nd schedule language of India, the Governor added.
He said that despite Manipur having many literary works, hardly any writers get Padmashree award in this field. The main cause could be lack of popularity, the governor said, adding that for this, the state government should draw attention to promote Manipur literature more.
He also suggested that translation of Manipuri literary works into other languages would really help in popularising the writers at national and international level.
He also expressed his concern over the decline of reading habit among youth with the advent of digital media and advised all the youth to experience the beauty of literature by inculcating the habit of reading.
On the other hand, Chief Minister N Biren Singh lamented that despite Manipur progressing in many areas, valley areas mostly Meiteis have diverted from spiritual belief that have really affected the culture and tradition of the state.
Biren said that he had initiated a surveillance to identify families who ill treat their elderly parents adding that the state government will take action against those families as per law.
He also informed that a committee was formed to collect and compile folk songs of every community of the state. The main purpose of these steps is to include it in the state syllabus so that each one of us knows the other community, Biren said.
Education minister, Sorokhaibam Rajen also attended the function as guest of honour.
The award was sponsored by the government of Manipur from the year 2008-2009 to honour the Manipuri writers for their contribution to Manipuri literature.
The award consists of a plague, a citation and cash component of Rs 3 lakh.
Some other novels written by Beryl Thanga are Mamal, Mani Samkhraba Khongul, a play- Ei Mingaobi Napangbi Oijakhige and poetry song called Esei ni aige punsigi.
He is also recipient of State Kala Akademi Award in creative in his book "Ai Amadi Adungei Ithat" in the year 2016-2017. Besides this, he has also received three other awards.
