Imphal, December 24: The Union home minister, LK Advani said the Centre is fully committed to restore peace to the insurgency affected northeast region, but reiterated that the Centre�s effort to resolve the Naga problem will not hurt the interests of neighboring states.

Speaking at the inaugural function of second Manipur Bhavan - Bir Tikendrajit House at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi Advani said the Centre has been in touch with and is holding negotiations with the NSCN (IM) leadership to bring about a solution to the Naga problem, but the peace process will not be at the cost of territorial integrity of Manipur and other states.

The territorial integrity of Manipur and other states will be protected and the question of the disintegration of the existing boundaries of Manipur does not arise, Advani said.

While acknowledging the loss of valuable lives in the turmoil that erupted in the aftermath of the proposed extension of the NSCN-IM ceasefire beyond Nagaland, the Union home minister appealed to the people of Manipur to remain calm and maintain peace, and participate in the state�s efforts to boost the socio-economy.

Assuring that all possible Central assistance would be provided for the state�s development, the minister said the demands made by the Governor of the state in this regard would be looked into positively.

He also expressed the hope that the state administration will be able to hold the ensuing state legislative assembly elections free and fair and without any trouble.

The Governor of Manipur, Ved Marwah, in his address as president of the inaugural function, while mentioning the rich culture and sporting tradition of Manipur, noted that the brunt of two-decades long insurgency is being borne by the people.

He suggested that it was high time for introspection, reconciliation and resolution.

On the fiscal front, the Governor said the state is faced with daunting challenge of growing resource gap, of limited scope for raising resource internally and of raising expenditure for debt servicing and salaries which has resulted in increased borrowing, lesser fund flow to development activities, and great dependence on Central funds.

With a view to pull the state of the present precarious situation, the state government, in difference to the Centre�s direction, has drawn up a comprehensive fiscal restructuring policy and a fiscal reforms commission has also been constituted.

He therefore urged upon the Union ministry of finance to release the state�s entitlements.

The Governor also pointed out that the Manipur University has not attained the desires growth in terms of academic programmes and infrastructure development, mainly due to lack of funds, and observed that it has not received any lump sum foundation grant from the UGC.

He further noted that the ministry of HRD has recommended Rs 33.10 crores for development of infrastructure of the Government College of Technology at Imphal, but no funds have so far released.

In this connection, he urged the department of development of the northeast to release an assistance of Rs 5 crore each for the two institutions during the current financial year.

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