EKHON | UKHRUL: The Ukhrul district BJP karyakartas (workers) attributed the ongoing crisis to Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s efforts to address the sensitive issue of demographic imbalance in Manipur, likening it to “bell the cat”. They expressed their unwavering trust and confidence in CM Biren’s leadership and fully endorsed his decision to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) during the BJP Ukhrul District Executive Meeting chaired by AC Raising, Spokesperson BJP, Ukhrul District in the presence of Hopingson A Shimray, Vice President BJP Manipur Pradesh, Preshow Shimray, Spokesperson BJP, Manipur Pradesh and were Somatai Shaiza, BJP State Executive and others on August 10, 2024.
Hopingson A Shimray, Vice President BJP Manipur Pradesh said the government’s decision to implement NRC is a step in the right direction adding that we don’t oppose the entire community, but rather those who immigrated after 1961. He said that they should be recognized and categorized as immigrants, distinct from the native citizens of Manipur, otherwise they would be wrongly equated with the actual citizens of the state.
On the current crisis in the state, he said it is a culmination of long-standing issues that have finally come to a head during the present leadership. He highlighted that the influx of immigrants, which began during the Congress regime, was left unaddressed for years, leading to the rapid growth of villages in districts like Tengnoupal and Churachandpur. Further saying that this unchecked expansion has alarmed the indigenous people of Manipur, who are concerned about the disproportionate population growth and the mushrooming of villages, which threatens their very existence.
Hopingson A Shimray pointed out that while it’s a sensitive issue, the fact remains that the specific community’s population has grown exponentially, and their representation in the legislative assembly has increased from a few to 10 MLAs. This has created a sense of threat and made us realize that CM Biren Singh’s concerns are valid, and we must acknowledge that his decisions are necessary to address this issue, he emphasized.
He went on to appeal the communities to put aside their differences and work together for peaceful coexistence, respecting each other’s rights and the composite state of Manipur. Adding that, “If one community gains an unfair advantage due to abnormal population growth, it will threaten the indigenous people. We fully support CM Biren Singh’s leadership and vision for a harmonious Manipur, he commented.
Meanwhile, Preshow Shimray, Spokesperson BJP, Manipur Pradesh said the party is set to revamp office bearers, boost enrollment, and hoist tri-color flags in every household from August 12-15 to showcase unity and strength and a strong India.
On the ongoing crisis, he said the party especially Ukhrul district fully support CM Biren’s leadership in tackling Manipur’s challenges with courage and principle, protecting indigenous people and land. CM Biren’s war on drugs, including poppy cultivation and trading, aligned with Ukhrul and the party endorsed his policies from the start and will continue to support his efforts, he stated.
The Spokesperson rejected the Congress party’s claim that CM Biren sparked the crisis saying that it’s a long-planned issue by illegal intruders encroaching on indigenous land. He commended the PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah for effectively handling the situation, providing relief, and containing the crisis without escalation.
In a meeting that was attended by over 100 members of BJP Ukhrul district it discussed the pros&cons of the recent parliamentary election in the outer constituency and duly identified strategies to move forward to strengthen the party in the three mandals – Ukhrul, Phungyar and Chingai.
