TMB Report/DIPR
Imphal: Suspecting involvement of certain drug smugglers in the killing of VDF personnel Ningombam Premananda who went to destroy poppy plantation at Faisi village in Chandel district, Chief Minister N Biren has vowed that whoever involved in the murder case won’t be spared and will be uprooted.
The government has collected evidence on the involvement of certain drug smugglers in the killing of VDF personnel Premananda. Anybody involved in the murder will not be spared, the Chief Minister said during the inauguration of a Multipurpose Community Centre at Konthoujam, Imphal West on Sunday.
He said that the government will never buckle under the threats of drug smugglers in its mission to eradicate drugs and poppy cultivation from the soil of the State.
He said that Premananda died in line of duty in the government’s War on Drugs campaign, therefore the government won’t remain silent with regard to his murder.
A judicial enquiry will be constituted to probe into the case, he announced, adding that the government will fight back whatever challenges come from the drug smugglers.
Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th. Satyabrata Singh, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh and Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West Th. Kirankumar were present at the occasion
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Biren spoke on the hardship faced by the people during the disastrous COVID-19 pandemic. He continued that the period was much challenging for the Government, as saving the lives of the people was the utmost priority.
He appreciated the selfless effort of the current Health Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan, the then Advisor to Chief Minister (Health), in containing the outbreak of the pandemic.
Continuing his speech, Biren raised concern over the threat to the State from illegal migrants and drug trafficking from neighbouring countries and stressed the need to remain alert on this matter.
He also expressed the importance of youths to follow the footsteps of our great forefathers who had always rendered their service for the sake of the motherland.
The Chief Minister spoke on the certain welfare schemes of the Government mentioning Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT), Ayushman Bharat, widow pension and School Fagathansi Mission among others.
He maintained that the State is progressing in the path of development at a fast pace. He further informed that the State would be hosting G20 events from February 17 to 19, this year and added that representatives of G20 nations would also be visiting different tourist places of the State.
During the programme, the Chief Minister distributed cards of different welfare schemes including CMHT, Labour, Old Age Pension and Widow Pension to the beneficiaries.
Earlier, Chief Minister Biren inaugurated Multipurpose Rural Development Centre Hall and New Building of Heingang Kontha Makha Leikai Model Club at a solemn function held at Kangjeibung Lampak, Heingang Makha Leikai, Imphal East.
The programme was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Imphal East Khumanthem Diana Devi and several other Government officials.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that Manipur has witnessed certain hindrances and enmity among different communities due to thinking on localism and vested interest in the last many years but now it is time for us to stand together for the development of the State.
Lauding the movement on Ekta Bharat initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that India has become one of the superpowers of the world. He also mentioned the recently tabled Union Budget 2023-24, stating that the same had been prepared with a long term vision, which would take the country to the top among the superpowers of the superpowers world in the next 25 years.
The Chief Minister continued that politics should be done with the objectives of people’s welfare and bringing development, adding that the State Government has taken up certain development works including Manipur Southern Cultural Centre at Behiang, Heritage Park at Makhel, 34 Police Stations along the State’s boundary and installing statues of our great forefathers at different locations among others.
He further stated that reinstatement of the age-old relationship between hill and valley people by bringing inclusive development had been possible only with the support of the people.
Expressing that there were more things to do for the State’s development, Biren maintained that the State Government has been putting in every effort to improve the living standard and quality of life of its people, under the guidance of the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for people of different communities residing in the State to set aside all the differences and join hands for bringing development, mentioning that the communities had been living together since time immemorial. He also spoke on the ill-effects of drugs and its addiction in Manipur society.
He appealed to the public not to conceal their family members who are drug addicts, rather take them to rehabilitation centres for correction measures.
He also informed that the Government had also set up a rehabilitation centre at Sunusiphai at Bishnupur district. He further stressed the urgency to save our youths from drug menace as the population of the State is small.
