Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday urged people in the state not to occupy or construct buildings on paddy fields and agricultural land by violating existing laws.

He was attending the opening ceremony of the 10-day North East Women Drama Festival and National Seminar on Theatre at Khenjonglang Theatre Complex, Keirao in Imphal East.

He said the state would have no agricultural land left after 30 to 40 years if the current trend went on unabated.

He said theatre played an integral part in maintaining communal harmony among people and educating the masses on social evils. “Manipur has artistes like Ratan Thiyam and Aribam Syam Sharma. We should appreciate the emergence of women directors too.”

He also urged the womenfolk of the state to take a proactive role in fighting the menace of drugs and intoxicants.

Women theatre directors from different states of the region are participating in the festival.

Theatre personalities like Kirti Jain, Heisnam Sabitri and Maya Krishna Rao were feted on the occasion.

The 10-day festival has been organised by Khengjonglang in association with Sangeet Natak Akademi and Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.