Imphal, July 4 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday underscored the importance of lasting peace for the state’s progress and development, asserting that dialogue remains the only viable path to restoring normalcy in the ethnic violence-hit state.

Speaking at the 5th Foundation Day celebration of a local television channel in Imphal, the Chief Minister referred to his visit to Churachandpur earlier in the day and said he was encouraged to see that the district was no longer affected by the disruptions witnessed during the height of the ethnic crisis.

Reiterating that dialogue is the only way forward to restore lasting peace in Manipur, Singh recalled his interaction with media persons in Churachandpur, where a smiling reporter asked him about the roadmap to peace.

“To this, I had remarked: ‘Your smile is the roadmap to peace’,” he noted.

Stressing that development cannot take place without peace, the Chief Minister said that the people of Manipur desire an end to the prolonged crisis and wish to move forward together.

He, however, observed that a few individuals continue to benefit from the prevailing chaotic situation and therefore do not want peace to return.

Singh urged the people not to allow such vested interests to derail collective efforts towards restoring peace and ensuring the state’s progress.

He said that peace-breakers would soon be identified and action would be taken against them.

The Chief Minister said that the crisis has severely affected the state’s economy and the government’s revenue collection.

He added that the younger generation, the poor and daily wage earners were among those who suffered the most during the crisis.

Students have also been facing considerable hardship because of the unrest in the state, Singh pointed out.

The function was also attended by MLA Khumukcham Joykisan Singh, Information and Public Relations (IPR) Director Charanjeet Singh, and editor of the local television channel, Jit Ningomba.

Among those present were media professionals, civil society representatives, government officials and others.

Earlier on Saturday, the Chief Minister attended the funeral service of former Manipur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and veteran tribal leader Vungzagin Valte, whose mortal remains were laid to rest in Churachandpur nearly 134 days after he succumbed to injuries sustained during the ethnic violence in the state.

The 62-year-old BJP leader, who belonged to the Zomi tribal community, is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons.

His body had been kept at the Churachandpur District Hospital after being brought from Delhi following his death at a private hospital in Gurugram on February 21.

A three-time legislator from the Thanlon Assembly constituency, Valte had undergone prolonged medical treatment in Delhi after he was brutally attacked during the ethnic violence in Imphal on May 4, 2023.

–IANS

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