Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday appreciated the Central government for its decision to build a fence on the entire Indo-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar.
While addressing a press conference at his residential office, he categorically stated that the Central government’s decision is not related with the demand of one particular organisation, but it has been the long-term demand of the people and the government of Manipur. The other demands of the people of Manipur cannot be fulfilled at once, but it is a good sign that two-three demands have been fulfilled so far, he said.
He said that normalcy is coming back compared to the earlier stage, and the permanent solutions initiated by the Central Government will bring welfare to the future generation of Manipur. “The present government since 2017 has been prioritising on keeping the people of Manipur and territorial boundary safe and secure and development will follow,” he said.
To safeguard the people of the state from drugs, incomplete border fencing work, illegal population influx, etc. the people of Manipur along with the government have been demanding to solve such issues, he mentioned.
The Central government has decided to initiate the border fencing work, while a trial of hybrid fencing has started. In the hybrid fencing area, even drones are not allowed to cross the fencing, he mentioned. CM Biren said the border fencing, including hybrid fencing work progress, will be started from vulnerable areas.
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CM Biren further said that the state government has already formed a population commission to differentiate illegal migrants and immigrants. The government appreciates the initiative of union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman to form a high level population commission to control the population growth in the country, he added.
He further gave the credit to the people of Manipur and those who sacrificed their lives to safeguard Manipur.
Besides, CM Biren said the state government is still continuing its mission to destroy poppy plantations. A review meeting was conducted on Thursday along with officials of NCB, NAB, police officers, SPs of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Chandel and others, he said. The aerial survey report with the help of UAVs and satellites has been provided to the authority concerned to carry out the poppy destruction drives, he mentioned.
He said the harvest season of poppy has started and the government will destroy all the illegal poppy cultivation. He further appealed to the people to cooperate with the government.
Responding to the media, CM Biren said the state government has already recommended the Central government to abrogate the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with those who violated its ground rules.
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