Imphal: “Today we all are facing a hard time, but with the grace of God we are returning towards peace and normalcy,” Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said, at a mammoth gathering of welfare benefits distribution at Hapta Kangjeibung, here on Monday.
Expressing sadness at the loss of lives, properties, and misery caused by the recent crisis, the Chief Minister said the government has taken all possible steps to ensure that such unfortunate events do not repeat again.
Deployment of state security personnel in the foothills and vulnerable areas is already in place and will be complete soon. Manipur Rifles and IRB battalions in Imphal and nearby areas are being shifted to foothill areas. Manipur will return to normalcy soon, Biren said.
The welfare benefits distribution function was organised by the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board under the Department of Skills, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship.
The Chief Minister handed cheques to select beneficiaries (next of Kin) of accidental death benefits and natural deaths. ‘The benefits will be transferred to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer’.
“Today, around Rs 17 crore (approximately) will be distributed to labour card holders,” the Chief Minister said.
He spoke on the issues of border fencing and decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah fencing of 10 km has already been completed.
“Manipur government did no work against any community. The government had only acted against illegal drugs, poppy cultivation, deforestation and against those from any community who entered the state illegally,” the Chief Minister said.
He asserted that the cabinet sub-committee to identify those who entered the state illegally was chaired by Minister Letpao Haokip.
“People should live and settle together like before, but understand that those who were already there before 1961 are permanent citizens,” he said.
Social Welfare Minister H. Dingo said the benefits will be distributed to around 26,000 and lauded the staff and employees of the Board for organising such an event.
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