By Madhu Chandra
Hyderabad: All India Christian Council has congratulated Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh for his efforts to unite the people of Manipur.
The council noted that after assuming office, Singh toured Manipur’s troubled hill districts to appeal for peace. He visited Ukhrul on April 11, newly bifurcated Sadar Hill District on April 26 and Churachandpur on May 6. In Churachandpur, he urged the people “forgive and forget” the 2015 incident where nine persons were killed while protesting against three bills passed by the previous government.
The hill districts welcomed the chief minister, especially when he urged the Valley people to reach out to the hill population. “Meiteis should reach out to the hill people as elder brothers,” he added.
Meiteis are the predominant tribal group that lives mostly in the valley, while Naga and Kuki people occupy the hills.
Singh created history when he hosted “Shirui Lily festival” May 16-20 to hight a special type of lily that blooms only in Shirui hills of Ukhrul district. People from all tribal and ethnic groups joined the festival, braving rains and waterlogged and muddy terrain.
Noted singers of Manipur presented folk songs and sang together, “Hingminnasi Eikhoi” meaning “Let’s Live Together.”
All India Christian Council urged Singh to organize similar events for various tribes in the state.
It wants the Singh government to bring Manipur’s hill and valley people together, who it noted had distanced from each other during the past 30 years for various ethnic reasons.