The Chief Minister claims that since the beginning of ethnic strife he has asserted that "outsiders and foreign hand" are involved in the ongoing crisis in the state.
The Chief Minister said while some people believe his claim that 'outsiders and foreign hand' are involved in the present crisis in Manipur, some do not believe.
Assam Rifles personnel have apprehended a Myanmarese national named Thanglinkap alias Kakap (20), in the Kachibung village area of Chandel district in Manipur, for crossing into Indian territory without any valid document.
The person belonging to the Khampat areas of Myanmar was held last week while roaming in the jungle 3 km inside the Indian territory.
The Chief Minister of Manipur appreciating the arrest of Myanmarese national said that the arrested person is a cadre of Kuki National Army (KNA).
"I appreciate the Assam Rifles for arresting the KNA cadre, he told mediapersons".
The Chief Minister reiterated that the 'War on Drugs' and eviction drives from reserved forests, initiated by BJP govt, are not targeted against any particular community.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion of the golden jubilee function of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union held at Manipur Press Club, Biren Singh underlined the all-inclusive character of these moves that have been criticized for giving step-motherly treatment to particular sections .
Speaking in Imphal, he said, in the last six years, drugs worth Rs 60,000 crore have been seized and 18,000 hectares of poppy cultivation have been destroyed.
"It is but natural that those affected by the policies and action of the government would be frustrated," the Chief Minister said, reiterating that these actions were essential for the long-lasting interest of the state.
Noting that the government's actions were consistent across both hill and valley regions, he said: "Evictions from the reserve forest lands were carried out even in my constituency of Heingang and Waithou in Thoubal district for encroachment of government lands."
"These moves were intended at protecting reserved forests, not at targeting any particular community."
Reiterating the commitment to inclusivity, Chief Minister said that people from 34 communities have been living in the state for decades and everybody should feel that they are Indians and Manipuris.
Urging the media and all concerned to engage in more constructive discourse on how to restore peace in Manipur, he said: "We need to unite during this trying time and concentrate on discussing ways that will bring peace back. The roots of the current issues are there."
The Chief Minister also spoke about social media where he challenged YouTubers from broadcasting live protest sites that might encourage further unrest.
In recalling his journalistic beats, Biren Singh remembered how the acutest problem of drugs was being posed in Manipur, which until then was ranked the highest in HIV infections.
"Considering one of the reasons for the high rate of HIV infections, I launched the War on Drugs after becoming Chief Minister (in 2017). There is a devastating impact of drugs on generations, especially young people. My government's policy was taken aiming to save precious lives, not targeting any community," the Chief Minister said.
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