January 21, 2025: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh marked the 53rd Statehood Day with a heartfelt call for unity and dialogue among the state’s communities. Addressing the gathering on Tuesday, Singh emphasized the importance of resolving misunderstandings through discussions and appealed to all recognized tribes to live together harmoniously.

The Chief Minister urged people to refrain from engaging in irrelevant matters or diverting attention from critical issues. Clarifying the government’s stance on identifying illegal immigrants, Singh asserted that their intention was never to target any old settlers but to ensure proper identification and action against unauthorized individuals.

Reflecting on the ethnic violence that has gripped the state since May 2023, resulting in over 250 deaths and displacing thousands, Singh urged all communities to work together to restore peace and foster development. He called for collective efforts to build a harmonious and prosperous Manipur that values justice and progress.

Singh also highlighted the state government’s achievements in its ongoing fight against drugs, a campaign launched in 2018 to tackle the growing crisis of substance abuse among youth. He revealed that illegal drugs worth ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 crore had been destroyed, while more than 30,000 hectares of poppy plantations were eradicated. Singh noted that drug factories were discovered in certain areas, and several village chiefs involved in the trade were arrested. He appealed to the public to stand united in the fight against drugs and pledged to leave behind a thriving and drug-free Manipur for future generations.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and other dignitaries for their congratulatory messages on Manipur’s Statehood Day. Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), lauded the contributions of Manipur’s people to India’s progress and extended his best wishes for the state’s future.

In his closing remarks, Singh reiterated the need for unity and collective action to bring peace and prosperity to Manipur, a state that has come a long way since gaining statehood on January 21, 1972.