Govt committed to amity: Ibobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 01 2015: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on Thursday reaffirmed his government's commitment to "create and sustain an environment conducive to communal amity" between communities in the State.

The Chief Minister said this while addressing a one-day seminar on the theme "Emergent Manipur: The Way Ahead" at IGAR (S) Auditorium organized by Assam Rifles.

Delivering the keynote address, Ibobi rued that fact that frequent bandhs, blockades and "widespread extortions" have put obstacles to the endeavours of the government.

On the occasion, Ibobi also expressed his dismay with " the burning down of Government properties" and vandalism by protesters as an expression of discontentment.

Terming the approach to lodge grievance as "extremely wrong", the Chief Minister pointed out that destroying "our own assets" rather than protecting them was wrong.

Chief Minister at a Seminar 'An Emergent Manipur ; The Way Ahead' at IG AR South, Mantripukhri, Imphal :: Pix - DIPR

"While we recognize that peace is an essential prerequisite for development, we cannot keep waiting for peaceful environment to initiate and push forward the development to the doorsteps of our people has to be a two-pronged process wherein we should try to restore peace and development simultaneously," said Ibobi.

The Chief Minister further said no discourse on Manipur is complete without a discussion on the activities of the various "militant groups" active in the State.

"The militants extort money from almost all sections of the people", he said.

Ibobi also claimed that his Government has implemented successful the Suspension of Operations Agreement (SoO) with many Kuki groups and few valley-based ones to lay down arms and join the mainstream.

He called for an open dialogue with other such groups to address their genuine and perceived grievances.

In his opening remark, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat GOC 3 Crops called on all to unite against the "evil designs of anti-national elements during these testing time." He said this was necessary to surge on the path of progress and create the environment for Manipur to become the pivot in India's Act East vision.

In the first session, Prof H Nandakumar Sarma, Vice Chancellor Manipur University attended the seminar as Chairman.

Professor W Nabakumar, Department of anthropology spoke on the topic "Socio-Ethnic Fault Lines of Manipur"; Dr Thiyam Bharat spoke on "Geo Strategic Importance of Manipur: Opportunities for Development"; Maj Gen VS Sreenivas spokes on the topic "Insurgency/Terrorism in Manipur" and Brig VT Mathew spoke on "Dynamics of De-notified Area respectively" .

The second session was chaired by Lt Gen Bipin Rawat GOC 3 Corps.

Professor Amar Yumnam spoke on the topic "Economic Development and Inclusive Growth in Manipur"; Lt Gen NK Singh spoke on "Strategic Engagement of UG groups in Manipur" and professor K Ibo presented a paper on "Indo-Myanmar Relations: Challenges & Opportunities" .