Imphal, Manipur, July 15 (HBTV): In what could be seen as a softening of stance by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday, he sent an open invitation to Kuki members of legislative assembly to join the state’s forthcoming assembly session. Talking at the sidelines of a program launch, Biren Singh said “We are inviting them. I’m also personally inviting them. The house (Assembly) is also inviting them and they should come and join, we will give cooperation to them”.   

Commenting on the violence in Jiribam district, with reporting say some houses had been burned down on Wednesday, Singh said he has investigated the case. It was not committed by the communities but probably by some separatist elements and the police are making efforts to arrest them, he said.   

Commenting on expectations from people about the demand for a one-to-one meeting with the prime minister, Biren Singh said it is his duty (meeting with the prime minister) and “now time has come and I will seek his blessings”. 

Biren Singh is visiting Delhi especially for the NITI Aayog meeting which will be presided over Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After NITI Aayog meeting, he will be a part of chief minister-level conclave.    

Biren Singh said he will have interactions on various issues with the central leaders. He will be discussing the prevailing crisis in the state and will make all efforts to resolve the crisis, he said. He will request the central leaders for assistance in bringing a solution, the chief minister said.    

The Manipur assembly session will start from July 31. Ten Kuki MLAs along with two council of ministers were absent from the house since the start of the Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflict which began in May 2023.