“Those Who Try to Disturb Peace in the State Will Not Be Forgiven by God” — CM KHEMCHAND
THOUBAL, July 18 : With the 13th Manipur State Assembly Election due next year approaching, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand today kicked off a mandal-level political conference of BJP workers in Lilong Assembly Constituency, Thoubal District—a Muslim-dominated constituency.
The political conference was held at the residence of former Lilong MLA Yumkhaibam Antas Khan at Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai. Attending as the Chief Guest, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand said that those who try to disturb peace in the State will not be forgiven by God.
The CM said his first priority as the Chief Minister of the State is to bring an end to the conflict that has been going on for over three years. For this, he is making strong efforts by visiting different parts of the State and trying to bridge the gap in understanding between communities.
The CM further said, “As human beings, we are born one day and we will die one day. But at times, I do feel hurt. To bring peace to the State and to first remove the mistrust among us, I went to Jiribam twice. The first time, I went by helicopter. There, I met the IDPs in Jiribam and consoled them. I also visited the place where five people, including Meitei children, were killed and paid my respects. I also went to the place where a Hmar girl was killed and laid a wreath. After that, along with those accompanying me, I went to Jiribam for the second time by road and returned by road.
At that time, Kuki brothers and sisters, Hmars, Paites, Rongmeis, Meiteis, and Meitei Muslims—all of us, more than 400 people—sat together, had a meal, and parted with love, promising to live peacefully without fighting.
But the most painful thing was that just the next morning after I returned from Jiribam, a bomb was planted and two children were killed. Because of that, the peace process that was moving forward was set back by a month or two.
At that time, I thought, “There are some people in Manipur who do not want peace, who do not want a peaceful Manipur, because if there is peace, they cannot make money.”
Khemchand said, “How long will such people continue to torment the people of Manipur? God will not spare them either. Sooner or later, they will face the people.”
Speaking about Lilong AC, the CM said Lilong AC is the Assembly Constituency of the late Allimudin, a brave leader of Manipur during a difficult time. He said it is a matter of pride for us and for future generations that this AC, where politics was once practised without dividing people on the basis of religion and community, was represented by such a courageous leader.
Regarding the memorandums submitted by the people of Lilong AC during today’s event, the CM assured that efforts would be made to repair roads and bridges at the earliest. He also appealed to the people of Lilong AC to elect Antas Khan as a BJP MLA.
Speaking at today’s event, Dr. Thokchom Radheshyam, MLA of Heirok Assembly Constituency and Government Spokesperson, said it is very good that the people of Lilong AC are now trying to be part of the government by electing a BJP representative from this AC, trusting the BJP, which is the largest political party in the world and is currently in power in many parts of India.
Radheshyam further said the Chief Minister is visiting hill and valley areas and talking to people to find ways for us to live in peace. We all should support this. He appealed to all citizens to stand together and build a respectable society, staying alert against those who are trying to create conflict for political gain while we are working to bring peace among ourselves.
Dignitaries present at today’s event included N. Nimbus Singh, President In-charge, BJP Manipur Pradesh; K. Raghumani, MLA, Uripok; Paonam Brojen, MLA, Wangjing Tentha; L. Rameshwor, MLA, Keirao; S. Premchandra, MLA, Kumbi; T. Robindro, MLA, Thanga; former Lilong MLA Y. Antas Khan; Y. Kumarjit, President, BJP Thoubal District; and K. Inaocha Devi, In-charge, BJP Thoubal District, who attended as Guests of Honour.
Many BJP State leaders and a large number of BJP workers from Lilong AC also attended the event.
