Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said on Saturday that Jiribam has created history by becoming the first district in Manipur where all communities have come together to restore peace after three years of unrest.
Addressing the gathering during a “Community Interaction Programme” held at New Alipur Rongmei Naga village in Bidyanagar, Jiribam, the Chief Minister said that as his government completes two months in power, he decided to visit Jiribam for the second time because people from different communities have agreed to come together on a common platform. “The people of Jiribam are the most broad-minded in the state,” he said.
During the programme, Khemchand interacted with internally displaced persons (IDPs) belonging to the Meitei, Kuki, Paite, and Hmar communities. He mingled with the crowd and listened to their grievances.
A Meitei woman IDP spoke about her fear of returning home, while a young Hmar tribal girl narrated the difficulties faced by people in backward areas in securing government jobs.
Khemchand told the IDPs that the purpose of the programme was to bridge the trust deficit. He also shared an example from his tenure as a minister, recalling how he recruited 74 staff members through a transparent recruitment process in the Rural Development Department.
A Kuki village leader told the Chief Minister that he was ready to return home as he trusted the government, while describing the majority Meitei community in Jiribam as broad-minded. A Paite villager requested the continuation of peace-building measures and noted that local Meitei leaders in Jiribam are supporting the peace process.
Khemchand said his government is doing its utmost to assist the IDPs. “I may not be able to fulfil all your wishes, but I will continue to help you in every way I can. Everyone wants to return home, and our government is making every effort to support the IDPs in the construction of new houses,” he said.
The Chief Minister travelled to Jiribam district, bordering south Assam, by road via National Highway 37, covering over 220 km in six hours. He also visited Jiribam District Hospital in Ningshingkhul and inspected the facilities. He noted that many specialist doctors are reluctant to be posted in Jiribam.
Stressing the need to streamline and improve the health sector, he said that a transparent transfer policy for health professionals needs to be implemented. He assured all possible support to Jiribam District Hospital.
During the trip, nine BJP MLAs and State BJP President A. Sharda Devi accompanied the Chief Minister.
The MLAs included T. Robindro Singh (Thanga), K. Robindro Singh (Mayang-Imphal), L. Rameshwor Meetei (Keirao), S. Ranjan Singh (Konthoujam), H. Dingo Singh (Sekmai), S. Premchandra Singh (Kumbi), Sheikh Nurool Hassan (Kshetrigao), S. Kunjakishore Singh (Patsoi), and local Jiribam MLA Md. Achab Uddin.