Imphal, May 22: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on May 22 appealed to residents of the state to refrain from enforcing bandhs and blockades, stating that such protests place the heaviest burden on daily wage earners and further aggravate the economic difficulties arising from the ongoing unrest.
Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of an RCC bridge over the Nambul River at Akham Mayai Leikai in Imphal West district, Singh urged people to resolve disagreements through dialogue and discussions instead of resorting to shutdowns.
He said enforcing bandhs and blockades out of anger against the government ultimately creates hardship for ordinary people, particularly those dependent on daily earnings for survival.
Referring to his visits to violence-affected Jiribam district, the chief minister said he had travelled there twice, once by helicopter and later by road, where he met members of different communities, including Kuki, Paite, Hmar and Meitei groups. He stated that interactions during the visits reflected cordial relations among people at the grassroots level.
Singh also recalled the bomb attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district in April that claimed the lives of two children. He said the incident had caused widespread sorrow and had also led to economic disruptions as repeated shutdowns and protests affected normal activities across the state.
Calling for restraint, he said grievances and dissatisfaction with the government should be addressed through discussions and mutual understanding rather than actions that disrupt public life.
Later, in a post on social media, Singh said the newly inaugurated bridge in the Lamsang Assembly Constituency would improve connectivity, facilitate smoother movement of people and goods, and strengthen local markets. He added that the government remained committed to improving road infrastructure and enhancing connectivity across Manipur for the benefit of its people.
