Imphal, January 13 2010: State Governor, Gurbachan Jagat today addressing the 7th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly said that state government is always ready for peace talk with underground outfits and asked them to shun violence and hold talks within the framework of the Constitution of India.

"In order to bring about peace and normalcy in the state, my government stands ready to hold talks with underground outfit as long as they agree to adjure violence and lay down arms and talks are held within the framework of the Constitution of India," the Governor asserted.

Manipur continues to grapple with the problem of insurgency and this severely hampers development and growth of the state, and is further accentuated by rampant factionalism among the outfits, continued the governor.

The state government has taken various steps to address the situation by strengthening the state police force under the Centre sponsored modernization of police force.

Government efforts of strengthening the state police force have started to have its impact as the state police, with the help of the Central Paramilitary Force and Army, have been able to restrain and curb the activities of the underground outfits to a larger extent.

As many as 1368 extremists belonging to various UG outfits were arrested during the year 2009 from January 1 to November 30, 2009 and 279 extremists killed, while 378 assorted weapons were recovered from the extremists along with 6936 assorted ammunition, 130 hand grenades, 105 lethod bombs, three IEDs, 123 detonators, 13.71 kg of explosives and seven W/T sets.

Police and security forces also recovered Rs 40,54,758, foreign currency of 2000 Kyat, 1000 Won and five Ngultrum.

Moreover 191 persons including extremists belonging to various underground groups were detained under NSA.

Eleven extremists belonging to various UG outfits surrendered to the government authority.

Investigation of cases has shown a marked improvement during the period.

Altogether 1506 cases (66 Charge sheets and 1440 final reports) were disposed off, the Governor mentioned in his address.

Construction of High Security Prisons at Sajiwa is being taken up under the Centrally Sponsored Modernization of Prisons Scheme (MPS) with an estimated cost of Rs 15.72 crore and construction works of the same is targeted to complete by the end of the March, 2010 .

State government also allocated Rs 5 crore under SPA 2009-10 to operationalise the High Security Prisons and to improve the Central Jail Shajiwa security set up with installation of security gadgets/CCTV cameras for effective control, dedicated power supply and improved surveillance technology, the Governor added.

On the Suspension of Operation agreement with 19 Kuki hill-based militants under two apex bodies Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People Front (UPF), Gurbachan said the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) of SoO has provided a useful forum for addressing violations of ground rules of the agreement citing the instant of recovery of Rs.4.54 crore fraudulently withdrawn from the UBI branch in Churachandpur district involving a militant group maintaining ceasefire with government force under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.

"This is a rare achievement," Gurbachan said.

The state vigilance commission took up 113 cases in addition to 166 pending enquiry cases during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2009.The commission has successfully disposed off 72 enquiry cases, out of which 58 enquiry cases were closed as the charges could not be substantiated while four enquiry cases were converted into four FIR cases.

The commission recommended for major penalty in respect of five cases and minor penalty in respect of another 8 cases.

The commission has been able to detect gross irregularities in the appointment of 179 home guard personnel and has recommended for the removal from service.

The commission also recommended awarding of major penalty to the then CO and appropriate action against 12 home guard commanders, the Governor in his address, mentioned.

The main focus of the Governor's address was the achievement of the government during 2009.He maintained that despite several constraints, the year 2009 saw many positive developments in the banking sector in the state.

State government has minimized handling of cash by government offices and institutions by making draw and disburses of pay and allowances of its employees compulsory only through bank accounts with effect from May 1, 2009, the Governor added.

Manipur government is giving highest emphasis to the development of infrastructure in the preparation of draft annual plan 2010-11 .

In order to catalyze development, 60% of the funds have been proposed for roads, power, irrigation and infrastructure projects.

The proposals aggregated to a plan size of Rs 3231.09 crore against the original approved outlay of Rs 2000 crore for annual plan 2009-10 registering an increase of 59.94% .

The Governor also said that the government is aiming at to enhance the economic condition of the people specially the rural poor in the state through promotion of co-operative movement.

The state government has already registered 5296 cooperative societies in the state and is making effort to revive 208 defunct Primary Agriculture Credit Cooperative Societies.

Government of India has also agreed to bear 90% of the accumulated losses of these cooperative societies, the Governor mentioned in his lengthy address.

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