Manipur government opposes citizenship bill: Biren

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, February 8, 2019: Manipur chief  minister N. Biren Singh said his government strongly opposes the bill until a clause is inserted in the bill that Manipur will not be affected by it or Northeast region will be exempted under the bill or assent is given to Manipur People’s Bill at the earliest.

Biren was speaking at the loan distribution to fish farmers held at chief minister’s secretariat today.

He mentioned that the people’s apprehension over the citizenship Bill is genuine. He clarified that the government is with the people and will fight for the people and the state. He stated that the government feels the sentiments of the people and civil society organisations over the Bill. He appealed the people to refrain from hurting the sentiments of other communities during agitations.

Biren stated that around 2800 fish farmers have been identified for the distribution of loans by different banks. For the first phase, altogether 247 beneficiaries are being given loans today. He mentioned that a fish cold storage would be constructed soon in the state. Fish feed making machine would be arriving soon, he added. He urged the farmers and beneficiaries to repay the loan amount in time so that they won’t be facing any further consequences. He appealed to the bank officials to find a solution so that the people/ farmers can get the hassle free loans.

Mentioning that there would be self sufficient fish production in the state by 2020, Biren said that we have abundant water bodies in our state, however there is shortage of fish production in the state. ‘Loktak Livelihood Mission’ was launched to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youths and to increase fish production in the state, he added.

Since the installation of the present government, the government has initiated various welfare schemes for the welfare of the people. The mission of the government is to improve the living standard of the people and to make life easier.

SBI, UBI, MSCB, UCO, Allahabad Bank, MRB and Punjab National Bank distributed the loan amounts to the beneficiaries.

People continued to protest today in different ways in different parts of the state opposing the citizenship bill.