Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday said politics should be based only on service to people and humanity.

Speaking at the Hmar Sikpui Ruoi celebration at Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong, here, he said equal development, respect and recognition for every community residing in the hill and the valley could only bring love and attachment among the people.

Sikpui Ruoi is one of the most important festivals of the Hmar community. The uniqueness of this festival is that it is not celebrated annually but on those years when there has been a good harvest.

“People are losing faith in politicians as most of them do not translate even 50 per cent of their promises/assurances into action,” he said.

The chief minister said among the 33 recognised communities in the state, Hmars are one of the most advanced, decent, educated and gentle.

On rumours about shifting of district administration from Pherzawl headquarters to Churachandpur, the chief minister said there was no such plan at all.

“There is no question of rescinding previous government’s decision of declaring Pherzawl as a full-fledged district by the present government,” he said.

Biren Singh said ginger farmers of the district are no longer facing lack of buyers or market after the state-level Ginger Festival was organised at Parbung village of the district this year.

He said a mini cold storage would be constructed at Pherzawl to store ginger and other horticulture produces of the district as soon as possible.

The chief minister said survey for the construction of Tipaimukh-Jiribam Road was complete and he had written to Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari to declare the road as a national highway.

“Work on Churachandpur-Tipaimukh Road has made good progress,” he added.

The chief minister also said the government would definitely consider extension of Imphal-Pherzawl state bus service up to Parbung if the road condition permits.

Stating that Pawan Hans is ready to operate helicopter service to any place of the state where there is proper helipad, the chief minister said the private company may begin service for the district as well if required.

Stating that infrastructure development is currently under way at Pherzawl district headquarters, Biren Singh said when time would come the primary health sub-centre at Pherzawl would be automatically upgraded to the status of a district hospital.

He also said the flying doctors project, which would be implemented with the funding from the North Eastern Council (NEC) would immensely benefit the interior areas of the district.

Regarding people’s wish for the declaration of Sikpui Ruoi festival as a restricted holiday, the Biren Singh said he would definitely look into it.

Education minister Th. Radheshyam said Manipur is like a beautiful garden with different and colourful communities. He said the state would be peaceful and gain abundance only when all these communities reside together with love and affection.

Different cultural troupes participated in the festival.