Imphal : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, on Friday, led a pledge in promoting national integration and communal harmony and stated that the immediate objective of his government is to bring peace and normalcy in this ethnic-violence hit State.

The Chief Minister who is sitting on fire owing to the ongoing ethnic violence between the Kukis and the Meiteis for the past 3-4 months in the state was speaking as the Chief Guest of the Sadbhavana Diwas held at the Main Conference Hall, Manipur Secretariat (South Block), Imphal on Friday.

“In this crucial juncture,” the CM said that there will be differences of opinion, but the immediate objective is to restore peace in the State. He also called government employees and the general public to come together and work harder to make up for the lost three-four months.

He said that to stay abreast in today’s development race, one must discard mistrust among the different sections, communal feelings, and selfishness.

N. Biren observed that it is better to let bygones be bygones and to work unitedly for a better, developed, and peaceful tomorrow rather than dwell on past mistakes. He sought positive suggestions and advice toward building a developed and united society.

N. Biren explained that Manipur needs to continue on the path of unity and equal development along which it was moving in the past six years and that it requires collective effort and the trust of all the people.

N. Biren Singh also appreciated the 24×7 monitoring, support, and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and said that under their guidance and support, it is time for all the people to be united and to work towards bringing peace and development.

Highlighting that there are also attempts to divert from the issue or to allow the issue to linger on, the Chief Minister said restoration of peace in the State and return to normalcy should be our main focus at the moment.

Stating that one should not speak or discuss issues that could hurt the sentiment of other communities, the Chief Minister further appealed to the people of the State to promote oneness and development. MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh presided over the function. Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, DGP, administrative secretaries, police, and civil officers, among others, attended the function.

The CM also administered the Sadbhavana pledge to those attending the observation. Artists of the Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College performed the opening and closing songs of the observation.