Imphal, April 06: All India Trinamool Congress (Nationalist Trinamool Congress Party) candidate for the Outer seat W Morung Makunga has stated that he would work towards evolving a peace process between the Government and the underground outfits for and usher in a new era of peace and development in Manipur if he is elected to the Parliament.

Speaking at the Meet the Candidate organised by Editors' Forum, Manipur at the conference hall of DIPR today, Makunga contended that the panacea to all the problems being faced by the people of the State lies in evolvement of a peace process with the various underground groups operating in the State.

He observed that the problem of militancy in Manipur should not be countered with guns.

Instead efforts should be made to thrash out a permanent solution through political dialogue, he opined, while maintaining that the demands of the militants are issue based.

On lack of development in the hill districts, Makunga, who was elected from 42 Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency in 1995 and went on to hold different portfolios as a Minister in previous Governments, noted with concern that the living standard of the people in hill areas are still very low due to lack of economic activities.

To improve their present lot, Makunga said he would try to implement a Horticulture Scheme for them.

Highlighting on some of the works he had done for the people of Manipur while he was the Minister of Social Welfare, Makunga claimed that ICDS projects have been taken up under his initiative at Shamulamlan and Tipaimukh in Churachandpur district, at Kamjong in Ukhrul district, at Purul in Senapati district, at Keirao in Imphal East district and at Chapikarong and Machi in Chandel district.

Over and above this, ICDS District Programme Offices had been set up at Chandel, Thoubal, Chura-chandpur , Tamenglong and Senapati district, he said.

He further claimed that over 1000 Anganwadi Centres were opened during his time and he ensured proper implementation of Amul Scheme, apart from taking up a State Plant of Action for the children in 1996, which is billed as the first of its kind in the whole of North East States.

On some of his other achievements purportedly made by him while he was the Health Minister in the Wahengbam Nipamacha led United Front Government, Makunga said that mobile dispensaries were introduced under the All India Medical Policy in all the remote hilly places which do not have the facilities for hospital and primary health centre.

Moreover, apart from setting up district hospitals and Primary Health Centres, over 50 Primary Health Sub-Centres have also been established in different parts of the State, he said, adding that he also taken part in a special session of the General Assembly of United Nations held on the theme of Drugs Penal on Drug Abused and HIV.

Even while he was not a Minister but simply a MLA, Makunga said he had ensured civic amenities like construction of offices, school buildings, community halls, inter-village road construction, water supply etc to the people living in hill areas.

He also claimed the credit for electrifying 95 villages in Tengnoupal Constituency.

State unit NTC party president Tiken who was present at the occasion expressed confidence that Makunga would win the election.

Even if the NCP faction led by PA Sangma had been merged with All India Trinamool Congress (National Trinamool Congress), there has been no change in its principles and ideology, as such the chance of winning election is very high, he asserted.