Manipur CM highlights border mgmt, rehabilitation at NITI Aayog meeting

Guwahati: Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh, addressing the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Thursday chaired by PM Narendra Modi, flagged the mounting challenges posed by the conflict in Myanmar.

He underscored the urgent need for stronger border management, advanced surveillance systems, and coordinated joint action against drug trafficking, arms smuggling and human trafficking, the chief minister’s office stated.

Khemchand also informed the Aayog that to check illegal arms and drug smuggling across the India-Myanmar border, the ministry of home affairs has completed 50km of border fencing. Work on another 80km has started.

The theme of the Niti Aayog meeting this year was ‘Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047’, focusing on the foundation for the future of states and the nation.

The CMO stated that the CM in his address said with the strong action of Union HM Amit Shah and joint efforts of the central and state govts, the overall law and order situation in Manipur has improved.

On the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the CM said with the central support, humanitarian steps have been taken up for the IDPs. He said that with the help of the Centre, around 11,000 families have been resettled so far and the state govt is making all efforts to resettle the remaining families at the earliest.

The CM also informed the Aayog that IDPs from Jiribam have started returning to their original homes. He expressed his wish to repeat the Jiribam example in all other districts of Manipur. He requested more central help to restore dignity, security and lasting livelihoods for the displaced.

To help remote areas, the CM asked for more districts and blocks to be added under the aspirational districts and aspirational blocks programmes. He also sought accelerated support for Act East connectivity, including national highways, railways, and border trade infrastructure at Moreh, so that Manipur can fully fulfil its role as India’s Gateway to East Asia under the Act East Policy.