Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has reaffirmed that the government’s war on drugs and eviction drives in the state’s reserved forests are not directed at any specific community.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union at the Manipur Press Club on Monday (September 16, 2024), CM Singh emphasised the inclusive nature of these actions, responding to criticisms that they disproportionately affect certain groups.
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Recalling his time as a journalist, CM Singh highlighted the severe drug addiction problem in Manipur which once ranked the state among the highest in HIV infections.
“One of the reasons I launched the war on drugs after becoming the Chief Minister was the devastating impact drugs have on the generations. The policy is aimed at saving lives, not targeting any community,” Singh clarified.
The Chief Minister said that in the last six years, narcotic drugs valued at Rs 60,000 crore have been seized in the state.
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“A total of 18,000 hectares of illegal poppy cultivation have been destroyed. It is natural that those affected by our policies would be frustrated, but these actions were essential for the state’s long-term well-being,” he added
Addressing the ongoing eviction drives in the state’s reserved forests, Singh stressed that the government’s actions were consistent across both the hill as well as the valley regions.
“Evictions were carried out even in my constituency Heingang and Waithou in Thoubal district to clear encroachment. These moves were aimed at protecting the reserved forests, and not at targeting any particular community,” he said.
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Reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusivity, Singh said that Manipur belongs to all the 34 recognised tribes and everyone should see themselves as both Indians and Manipuris.
He also urged for more constructive discourse, particularly in the media, on how to restore peace in the state.
“We need to unite during these difficult times and focus on discussions that help in bringing peace. The root causes of the current issues are evident,” he added.
The Chief Minister also addressed the role of social media, urging the YouTubers to refrain from live streaming from the protest sites, which could incite further unrest.
Responding to media queries regarding the apprehension of a Myanmar national suspected to be a cadre of the Burma faction of the Kuki National Army (KNA), Singh reiterated his long-held stance that the “external forces” are playing a role in Manipur’s “current unrest.”
The Myanmar national was nabbed by the troops of Assam Rifles from the Indo-Myanmar border while he was allegedly conducting reconnaissance of the bordering area for transporting arms and ammunition from Moreh to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.
“The crisis in Manipur has foreign involvement as I have been saying from the very beginning. Some believe it, some don’t, but time will reveal the truth,” Singh said.
He lauded the efforts of Assam Rifles in apprehending the Myanmar national. The case, according to Singh, will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
Singh, reflecting his career as a journalist, expressed his hopes for the media, wishing success to his former colleagues, thus emphasising the need for peace to return to the violence-hit state.