Biren appeals for bandh free Manipur

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 27, 2018: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh today appealed the people to join their hands to make Manipur free from Bandh and blockade.

He made the appeal at the World Tourism Day celebration held at Marjing Polo Complex, Heingang, Imphal East.

Biren said that let’s not forget that the bandhs and blockades severely affect the day to day lives of thousands of families in the state. He said the government is open to have a dialogue with the students and other stakeholders anytime.

The state government was compelled to take action against those students and teachers who were mentioned in the FIR report. The raid was conducted with proper decency with district magistrate and superintendents of police including women police to arrest the culprits who were involved in assaulting the pro vice-chancellor and registrar of Manipur University. Due to the responsibility of being a CM and home minister, it was mandatory to maintain the law and order situation, he added.

 Highlighting that there has been a drastic economic development in the last 18 months, chief minister said that according to the report of NABARD, there is economic boom in the state with a steep increase from 8 percent to 200 percent in economic activities in the state, he added. He stated that the present government is committed to improve the lives of the people of the state.

Mentioning that Manipur has lot of potential in tourism sector, Biren reiterated that the world recognises Manipur as the birthplace of modern Polo. A good hospitality is a must to boost our tourism sector in the state, he added. He stated that our state has a lot of potential to showcase our unique cultural heritage, natural and scenic beauty to the outside world. He stated that we would witness various visible changes in the tourism sector in the state.

Chief m,inister said that a statue of a pony would be erected at the top of the Marjing Hill. This statue would be the second tallest statue in the North East India after the statue to Buddha of Sikkim. He mentioned that a sum of Rs 15 crores has already been sanctioned for the construction of ‘Imphal View’ tower at Langol Hills. Ropeway service would be made available from Marjing Hill to Langol Hill to attract more tourists in the region.

The chief minister announced that the Prince of Thailand would be visiting the state during the upcoming Manipur Sangai Festival 2018 which would be held in November this year. He said that a Heritage Park having traditional houses of all the 33 recognised tribes and other communities of the state would be developed at Keibul Lamjao. Manipur Cherry Blossom Festival will be a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival from this season, he added. Light and Sound show at Kangla would be shown to public twice a week soon, he added. Kangkhui Cave of the Ukhrul district would be developed as a major tourist destination at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.5 crore. Similarly, Tharon Cave would also be developed as tourist destination, he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar said Manipur has a distinct environment, unique flora and fauna as compared to other parts of the world. He appealed the people of the State to support and co-operate in making Manipur as a popular tourism destination in the entire world. A peaceful and congenial environment is a must to promote tourism sector in the State, he added.

The programme was organised under the theme “Tourism and Digital Transformation”.  Various cultural programmes, traditional dances were showcased during the function.

Cabinet ministers, MLAs, Adhakshya of various districts, chief secretary and officials of various departments attended the function.