Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 03 2008:
Apparently concerned with the continued violence in the north Eastern Region in general and Manipur in particular Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar today gave a clarion for peace.
Aiyar, who is the Union Minister for Development of North East Region (Doner) noted that violent activities in the State has taken its toll to an unprecedented level and urged all concerned to shun the path of aggression and to follow the route of overall progress.
"End war and start executing developmental works," the Minister said while interacting with media persons before wrapping up his daylong Senapati district visit to take personal stock of progress regarding welfare schemes of the North East Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) for hilly areas being implemented at Maram Centre village.
The project is a joint venture of the Central Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Under IFAD, which is a Rome-based agency of the United Nations, Senapati and Ukhrul districts are covered to implement and accelerate developmental
works.
Categorically condemning acts of violence such as extortion, killing and kidnapping for monetary gains, Aiyar also conveyed to armed organisations to come forth for political dialogue and give peace a chance so as to accelerate pace of development.
He also assured that the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would be intimated to focus on initiating development works in the State.
Appreciating activities of different self help groups under NERCORMP in taking up socio-economic development works, the Minister stated that he had taken note of success story of these SHGs in the execution of welfare schemes as well as income generating ventures.
Confiding that the Project being taken up since 2000 would lapse in March next, Aiyar called upon the locals to either extend the Project or envision World Bank-funded fresh schemes.