All communities in Manipur citizens of India, must live in harmony: CM

Imphal, Jul 8 (PTI) Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Wednesday said all communities in the state are citizens of India, stressing the need to ensure peaceful coexistence for development. He made the remarks while interacting with residents at the home of the village chief of Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district after returning from a day-long visit to Senapati district. "Whether it is Kuki, Naga, Meitei or any other community, we are all citizens of India. Secondly, we are all Manipuri. You are Manipuri Kuki, I am Manipuri Meitei, and you are Manipuri Naga," Singh told the gathering. Referring to his meeting earlier in the day with representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC) in Senapati, Singh thanked the organisation for facilitating the safe release of 14 Kuki youths. The youths had been held captive for nearly a month by armed groups in Senapati district before being released unharmed. The chief minister said the youths were ultimately saved by God's grace, not by him. "As the Chief Minister of Manipur, it is my duty to find a way for all communities to live together in harmony," he said, adding that peace was essential for the state's development. "There can be no development where there is no peace," Singh said. During his visit, Singh also made a brief stop at the Kangpokpi district headquarters, where he was welcomed by church leaders. Interacting with them, he appealed to all communities to forgive the past and work together to restore peace in the state. He said that, as a Meitei, he had been making efforts to counsel and restrain Meitei youths from violence for the sake of future generations, and expressed hope that church leaders would make similar efforts within their respective communities. Singh urged them to continue confidence-building initiatives and work collectively towards achieving lasting peace in Manipur. The church leaders later submitted a memorandum to Singh. On his return journey to Imphal, the CM also stopped at Namdilong in Imphal West district, where he met women from the Liangmei Naga community and heard their grievances. PTI CORR SOM