The wildfire which is said to have started from the Nagaland side of the valley from December 29 had been spreading towards Manipur. Firefighters, state police force, and other disaster management agencies have been scrambling to douse the fire for the past two weeks.
TFM Desk
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Thursday informed that the situation of wildfire at Dzuko Valley has now been successfully controlled with the tireless efforts of the Union and state forces. He showed his gratitude towards Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his serious concern about the inferno and providing immediate assistance to the state’s effort to contain it.
The chief minister was speaking at the inaugural function of Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Sekmai and laying of the foundation stones for two women’s markets at Sekmai and Kanglatongbi.
The ITI was constructed by Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Ltd under Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure in North Eastern States (ESDI) while the implementing agency for the construction of the two women’s market will be Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd (MPHC Ltd), a release said.
Speaking as the chief guest at the function held at Kanglatongbi, CM Biren Singh recalled the responsibilities taken up by women of Manipur since time immemorial to safeguard the state in various circumstances. He added that women could now contribute more towards the growth of the state’s economy as the law and order situation of the state had considerably improved and the government had been giving utmost priority to make the public feel safe and secure round the clock.
The chief minister further said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women empowerment to protect and uphold the integrity of women, the state government had already constructed women’s markets in seven hill districts. The government had planned to construct 10 more women’s markets in valley districts of which foundation stones of five markets had been laid till date, he added. He also sought support from the locals of Sekmai and Kanglatombi to avoid any disturbance during the construction so that the markets could be completely constructed within six months.
He also appealed to the public to access benefits from certain government schemes through concerned authorities and come up if there is any grievance so that their grievances could be redressed at the earliest.
Forest minister Awangbow Newmai said that bandhs and strikes had now become outdated and are not a proper channel for expressing one’s grievances. Stating that the government is for the people, he appealed to the public to use proper channels in bringing up issues and problems to the concerned authorities.
Speaking on the Occasion, MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanajaoba Leishemba stated that women of Manipur had played major roles in shaping the state since time immemorial and so the women’s markets are being constructed as a mark of respect to them. He also appealed to the implementing agency to complete the construction as soon as possible to facilitate women vendors in their earnings.
Delivering his presidential speech, Manipur Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, chairman and MLA, Sekmai AC Heikham Dingo termed N Biren Singh as a true leader and said that under his leadership, the state had seen a considerable change in field of development in various sectors. He also expressed his thankfulness to the chief minister for including two markets from Sekmai Assembly Constituency in the state government’s plan to construct 10 women’s markets this year.
Education minister Sorokhaibam Rajen, Tribal Affairs and Hills minister Vungzagin Valte, Agriculture minister Oinam Lukhoi, Labour and Employment minister Thokchom Satyabrata, deputy speaker Kongkham Robindro, State Planning Board, deputy chairman L Rameshwor, MHPC Ltd managing director C Doungel, commissioner (Planning) Devesh Deval, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, Imphal West, officials of state government and women of Sekmai and Kanglatongbi women’s markets attended the function among others.