Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh led Manipur in observing the Anti-Terrorism Day at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Banquet hall, Imphal on Saturday.
Speaking as the chief guest of the function, he said that the day is observed as Anti-Terrorism Day every year to remember the assassination of India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a suicide bomber at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, 31 years ago. The day is observed to stand and take a pledge against terrorism, he said.
He highlighted that Manipur has also witnessed many inhumane activities like planting explosives at private residences. “We have to collectively condemn such incidents,” he added.
Over the past five years, the situation in the state has improved tremendously because of the joint effort of the security forces including state forces, central paramilitary forces, intelligence units, etc., he mentioned. He asserted that some 20 years before, foreign investors were unwilling to invest in the state due to the law and order situation then. However, today the Japan International Cooperation Agency has expressed the desire to invest in the state, he said and added that it is a clear indication of the improvement in the law and order situation in the state.
He stressed that development and peace go hand in hand, and that without a good law and order situation development cannot be made in the state. He said that the little development and improvement witnessed in the hills today is because of the cooperation of the people and their desire for peace.
In an appeal to the police officers, he said that maintaining law and order is in their hands, and therefore, both intelligence networking as well as public-police co-operation has been improved.
Further explaining the importance of improving public-government relations, he said that over the last five years, the state has been able to create a cohesive relationship among the people and a peaceful situation in the state with the aid of citizen centric schemes like Meeyamgi Numit. Now Meeyamgi Numit will also be held by DCs and SPs at the district level, he added.
He also said that he understands the dedication of the state force and the risk they take. But, sometimes a few individuals mar the image of the entire force with their wrongdoings and misconduct, he said, highlighting the arrest of some personnel in drug related cases.
He also expressed concern over the spike witnessed in hate and communal press statements issued among communities and similar social media comments over religion, territory etc. and said this needs to be checked immediately.
He further advised the Directorate of Information and Public Relations and the Home department to take the lead and after proper discussion with the media fraternity, stop the publication, broadcast and circulation of any such statements between communities, association. All these create unnecessary confusion and could harm the hard earned peace in the state, he observed.
President of the observance, minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said that terrorism is today the biggest enemy of the civilisation. It is now time to think for the collective good and move towards becoming a foremost developed country, he said appealing to all to shun violence and move forward together.
He further appealed to all to join hands, to fight to protect humanity and combat terrorist activities from our soil and to make a meaning observation of the day.
The observation was also attended by Manipur Legislative assembly speaker Th Satyabrata Singh, ministers Letpao Haokip and Kashim Vashum, MP of Rajya Sabha Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, chief secretary, DGP, officials, among others.
As part of the observance, the chief minister also administered the Anti-Terrorism Day Pledge. Artistes of the Shri Shri Bal Mukanda Dev Government Music College also performed the closing and opening songs of the observance.
