Manipur CM urges collective efforts to restore lasting peace, normalcy

Imphal, Sep 2 (AHN) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday appealed to all organisations and sections of society to work collectively towards restoring lasting peace and normalcy in the state.

The Chief Minister, who returned to Imphal from New Delhi on Tuesday, urged people and organisations to adopt alternative democratic means of protest to raise their demands and grievances, instead of resorting to shutdowns and blockades.

“I appeal to all sections of society and all concerned stakeholders to work collectively towards restoring lasting peace and normalcy. I also urge all concerned to refrain from bandhs and general strikes, which adversely affect the lives and livelihoods of our people,” Khemchand Singh said in a statement.

BJP leaders in Manipur accorded him a warm reception at the state party headquarters at Thambal Sanglen in Imphal for his efforts and persuasion to the Central government to defer the Census-2027 exercise, which was scheduled to start on Tuesday (September 1).

The Union government on Monday deferred the Census-2027 exercise in Manipur, amid continuing protests and demands by various organisations for the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the conduct of the Census in the state.

On Monday, the Chief Minister’s Office had informed that the census has been deferred in the state following a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

The meeting was attended by the Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Chief Minister, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, along with other senior officials.

The Chief Minister, in his statement, said: “I was accorded a warm welcome by BJP State President Smt Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, MLAs, senior party leaders and fellow karyakartas.” “On the occasion, I briefed them on the outcome of my meeting with the Union Home Minister regarding the postponement of Census operations,” he said.

Khemchand Singh said that the national leadership of the BJP at the Centre remains cognisant of the sentiments, aspirations and concerns of the people of Manipur. “The implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state stands as an important reflection of this understanding,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government remains steadfast in its efforts to restore peace, normalcy and stability in Manipur. “With National Highway connectivity having reopened, inter-state movement has resumed, facilitating safer and more affordable travel for the people,” he noted.