In the first of its kind, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh hosted a discussion session with the leaders of different tribal communities of the state at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal on Wednesday.
The discussion deliberated on effective tackling of COVID-19 and other issues faced by hill people due to the nationwide lockdown. Around 60 leaders representing the apex bodies of different tribal communities took part in the discussion, which was conducted with strict adherence to social distancing and other safety norms.
The chief minister observed that the COVID-19 pandemic can be dealt with through proper awareness only. He said that the key intent behind holding the discussion is to hear the grievances of our hill brethren in view of the spread of COVID-19 and formulate a strategy to impart the right awareness at the grassroots level.
Highlighting the small population of Manipur as compared to other states of India, N Biren Singh said that the State may face different difficulties due to the pandemic if we are not careful and take up effective steps on time.
The chief minister urged the public to ignore rumours and trust only the advisories and guidelines issued by credible agencies like WHO, ICMR, Health Ministry, Home Ministry etc. He also said that as per the advisories of these organisations, those who have completed 14 days of institutional quarantine or whose test result comes out negative may return home. As such, people should never hesitate to allow them to enter their localities, he said.
He expressed his confidence that all the infected persons would be cured because the doctors, nurses and paramedical manpower of the state are capable, and they have been working day and night with full dedication to accomplish it. He also said that the state would overcome the crisis with the support and cooperation from the people.
Regarding unity and integrity of the state, he said that the present government has been putting in its dedicated efforts to retain the age-old unity among different communities residing in the state. He said that a heritage park would be developed at Keibul Lamjao, where the main venue for the annual Manipur Sangai Festival would be shifted gradually.
Informing that traditional house models of all the communities of the state would be kept at the park, the chief minister urged the hill leaders to submit the sketch of their traditional houses to the Tribal Affairs and Hills department.
The chief minister also announced that a museum each of all the tribal communities of Manipur would be constructed in their originating villages at the cost of Rs 10 lakh each.
Ancient tools, articles, costumes and other articles of the respective communities would be kept in these museums, he said. N Biren Singh also said that a WhatsApp Group of community leaders wherein the chief minister and other high ranking officials would also be the members would be made to communicate between the government and community leaders.
The leaders expressed their profound gratitude to the CM for hosting such a fruitful discussion session and hear the grievances of the people residing in different hill districts at the time of hardship. They opined that it was a rare occasion which had never happened in the past.
COVID-19 awareness leaflets published by National Health Mission, Manipur in Meitei Mayek, English and different tribal dialects like Aimol, Anal, Chothe, Lamkang, Monsang, Moyon, Tarao, Chiru, Kabui, Inpui, Rongmei, Zemei, Liangmei, Gangte, Hmar, Kom, Mate, Paite, Simte, Vaiphei, Zou, Thadou, Kharam, Koireng, Mao, Maram, Poumai, Thangal, Maring, Tangkhul etc. were handed over to the leaders present at the discussion.
The CM also presented gifts and hosted a lunch in their honour at the CM’s Secretariat. Manipur Legislative Assembly deputy speaker K Robindro, Yaiskul assembly constituency MLA Th Satyabrata and top officials of the state government were also present at the discussion.
