Imphal, Manipur, January 21 (HBTV): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday urged communities in the state to resolve misunderstandings through dialogue and emphasized the importance of unity among all recognized tribes in the state.

Speaking at the 53rd Statehood Day celebrations, Singh highlighted the state's efforts in combating drug-related issues. He stated, 'The state government launched the war on drugs campaign in 2018 after seeing a large number of youths being swept away by drugs. The campaign brought a massive change.'

He mentioned that illegal drugs worth INR 70,000 to 80,000 crore had been destroyed since the campaign began, with several individuals sent to prison. Singh added that poppy plantations, once confined to Myanmar and Southeast Asian countries, had spread to Manipur, with drug factories found in specific areas.

More than 30,000 hectares of poppy plantations have been destroyed, and several village chiefs have been arrested. Singh urged the public to unite against drugs, saying, 'We must stand united and take a pledge to eradicate drugs.'

Addressing inter-community differences, Singh said, 'Every misunderstanding should be resolved with discussions by sitting together. Let’s also stop engaging in irrelevant matters and attempts to divert from issues. What we (state government) had said was proper identification of illegal immigrants and sending them outside. We never said anything against any of the old settlers of the state. All recognized tribes need to live together.'

Without directly referencing the Kuki community, Singh commented, 'In 2003, a tribe named any tribe was given recognition. Where is that any tribe? Such blunders have created the situation today.'

Singh affirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the state, stating, 'What the BJP-led government is doing is to leave a fully intact state for present and future generations.'

Responding to media queries about the Hill Tribal Council’s (HTC) recent ban on the Meitei script in Moreh town, Singh dismissed the order, saying, 'There are so many organizations. I don’t know. Only we have to take things seriously if somebody recognized or known by the government makes such demands. This HTC or anybody, we don’t care. The state is governed by the government.'

The HTC had recently issued an order to remove the Manipuri/Meitei Mayek subject from the school syllabus in Moreh town, effective from the 2025-2026 academic year.