Manipur CM appeals to people to avoid bandhs, says agitations hit economy and daily earners
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged people to refrain from bandhs, blockades and highway agitations, saying such disruptions harm the state’s as
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh urged the public to refrain from bandhs, blockades and other forms of agitation. He said such actions adversely affect the economy and also disrupt normal life for many residents, particularly people who earn daily wages.
The appeal came during the inaugural session of a two-day Consultative Meeting-cum-Seminar on the Demographic Profile of Manipur in Imphal. The event was organised jointly by the Home Department of the Manipur government and the Manipur State Population Commission, with officials and civil society members taking part.
Bandhs and blockades add pressure on daily wage earners
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Minister said ongoing agitations have severely affected the economy of both the state and the country. He also stated that disruptions have a disproportionate impact on daily wage earners, who depend on regular work and uninterrupted movement for income.
He further highlighted that an ongoing blockade has created difficulties for truck drivers stranded on national highways. The Chief Minister noted that the problem affects the movement of essential commodities into the state.
Government says it will work within constitutional framework
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the state government has informed the Centre of its willingness to conduct a National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise, within the constitutional and legal framework. He also said the Ministry of Home Affairs has set up a high-level committee to study demographic changes across the country.
Konthoujam added that stakeholders should come together in the public interest, despite political differences, to address issues affecting indigenous people. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that expert suggestions and resolutions from the seminar will contribute to public welfare, and reiterated that recommendations should remain within the framework of the Constitution of India.
