Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday entreated the people of the state to vote for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election in-order to gain support from the Centre.
“The situation of Manipur requires the Centre’s support. And to protect and save Manipur, we should strengthen relations with the Centre. So, vote for BJP in the upcoming election to strengthen relations and to gain support”, CM Biren said.
The chief minister made the statement during a distribution of welfare benefits programme at Hapta Kangjeibung which was organised by the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (MBOCWWB) under the Department of Skills, Labour, Employment & Entrepreneurship.
“Many works have been successfully completed by the Central government in different states under PM Modi,” CM Biren said, adding that in the “upcoming MP election, the BJP will win 400 seats to come out victorious.”
“The BJP will come again at the Centre and so, we should elect BJP MPs from the state to strengthen the PM Modi-led government”, the CM added.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that today we are all facing a hard time together, but with the grace of God we are returning towards peace and normalcy.
Despite all the disturbances, the government hasn’t stopped working for the welfare of the people and development of the state, he said. Today, around Rs 17 Crore (approx.) will be distributed to labour card holders, he added.
People should also appreciate people-centric schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was only after Narendra Modi came to power that the long-standing demand for Inner Line Permit was granted and it was extended in Manipur, he asserted.
He further spoke on the issues of border fencing and decision to scrap Free Movement Regime, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah fencing of 10 km has already been completed.
He asserted that his government hasn’t worked against any community. The government had only acted against illegal drugs, poppy cultivation, deforestation and against those from any community who entered the state illegally, he added.
“I started a war on drugs to protect youths from drugs. I started destroying poppy cultivation to protect forests, and from deforestation. I started taking biometrics of illegal immigrants. I am not working against any community. Then, why is there hate against me?”, CM Biren said.
If there is any act against any community then I will stop it, he said.
For identifying illegal immigrants, cabinet minister Letpao Haokip was chairman, he asserted.
The people should all live and settle together like before, but understand that those who were already there before 1961 are permanent citizens, he said.
The CM also stated that the viral video of two women being paraded naked put a bad light on the Meitei community with many calling for the resignation of PM Modi.
However, the truth was concealed from that viral video, the CM said, adding that the Meira Paibis had actually saved the two from some men. But that part of the story was not shown, the CM said.
Normalcy is returning to the state however some people who came forward to protect the state are diverting from their goal and have been targeting the public by snatching vehicles, demanding ransom, etc. Biren said. How do we survive when we have to protect ourselves from such, the CM questioned, calling on one and all to properly identify who is a friend and not to make enemies of every community.
Expressing sadness at the loss of lives, properties, and miseries caused by the recent crisis, the chief minister said that the government has taken all possible steps to ensure that such unfortunate events do not repeat again.
Deployment of state security personnel in the foothills and vulnerable areas is already in place and will be complete soon, he said. Stating that Manipur Rifles and IRB battalions in Imphal and nearby areas are being shifted to foothill areas, he said that Manipur will soon return to normalcy.
He highlighted that the Manipur Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board has also adopted the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan.
Social Welfare minister H Dingo said that the benefits will be distributed to around 26,000 and lauded the staff and employees of the Board for organising such an event.
The event was also attended by Ministers, MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, chief secretary Vineet Joshi, chairman of MBOCWWB K Sarat Singh, among others.
The chief minister handed cheques to select beneficiaries (next of Kin) of Accidental Death benefits and Natural Deaths. The benefits will be transferred to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer.
