Biren calls for mutual respect among communities

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, December 21, 2019: Maniour chief minister N. Biren Singh said there is need for mutual respect among different communities and equal development to maintain unity in the state.

He made the statement at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Namdunlong village in Imphal East district on Saturday.

Biren said there have been immense positive changes in the hill-valley bond in the past two and a half years. Now, people have no hesitation and apprehension in visiting or staying at any part of the state, the chief minister said, and added that people should never allow themselves to get carried away by any bad influence, which may undermine the age-old fraternal bond in the days to come as well.

Reminding the centuries-old relation between Kabui and Meitei communities, the chief minister said the machete held by Kabui men in performing their traditional dance is used by the Meitei community as well in their Lai Haraoba ceremonies. It indicates that the two indigenous communities share common ancestry and have unbreakable blood relation, Biren said. Nobody can forget Kabui Salang Maiba’s story passed down from generation to generation in Manipur’s folklore, he added.

Maintaining that there have been many developmental changes in different parts of the state including interior areas like Tamenglong and Tamei in the past two and a half years, the chief minister said Manipur would become a developed state only when people allow the government to keep on this momentum in the days to come as well. As such, there is need to extend cooperation to the government and help maintain peace and understanding, Biren said.

Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency MP Dr. R.K. Ranjan, Tamenglong AC MLA Samuel Jendai and Wangkhei AC MLA SmOkram Henry also attended the function as dignitaries.

Biren Singh opened the two-day Diamond Jubilee celebration by lighting torch and hoisting village flag. Traditional dance and music were presented as part of the celebration. The dignitaries also released a souvenir published in connection with the celebration.