Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23:
Working out a formula for ushering in peace and harmony in Manipur, senior citizens� of Manipur have expressed that declaration of unilateral cease-fire by State Govt in order to bring all the insurgent groups in Manipur to the negotiating table as early as possible followed by simultaneous withdrawal of Armed Forces Spec- ial Powers Act, 1958 would bring peace and harmony in Manipur.
A joint meeting of the senior citizens of Manipur was held under the aegis of Senior Citizens� Forum of Manipur at Hotel Imphal here today and discussed the prevailing situation in the State in the wake of unprecedented public uproar against the atrocities committed by security personnel under the protective shield of the Act.
The meeting presided over senior Advocate N Binoy Singh, was attended by senior citizens like ex-Ministers RV Mingthing and Laishom Lalit, former Education (S) Minister Dr TS Gangte, former Director College Development Council, MU Dr Y Mohendro, retd Lt Col RS Jassal, former principal of Churachandpur College S Jujeshore and former principal of Manipur College Prof L Sadananda among others.
During the deliberation, the senior citizens maintained the root causes of the problems and discontentment among the people of Manipur are unemployment and rampant corruption.
For solving the problem of insurgency in Manipur, they mooted declaration of unilateral ceasefire by the Government to bring all the insurgent groups operating in the State to the negotiating table and removal of the Act from Manipur.
The senior citizens felt that imposition of the Act for the last 24 years has not help in any way towards improvement of the law and order situation in the State.
Taking into consideration the wishes of the people, the State Govt should take up steps for removing the Act for some time and resorting to repressive measures would not bring any good results, they opined They also stressed for an ideological de- bate among the people, the insurgents and the Government.
A forum of the senior citizens under the nomenclature of Senior Citizens; for Society, Manipur was also formed during the meeting and elected ex-Minister RV Mingthing as its convenor.
Meanwhile, a four member delegate of eminent State writers, literary figure and filmmaker led by MK Binodini Devi today called on the CM to press for removal of AFSPA and restore tranquility in the State.