Imphal, April 13: Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh have observed that the importance of maintenance of security and public order in the North Eastern region, including Manipur, should not be over emphasized.

The two heads of the State made this observation while speaking at the 50th meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) which was held at Parliament Annexe yesterday.

In his address, Dr Sidhu said that North Eastern region including Manipur have been badly affected by the problem of militancy over the years and various outfits operating in the State have close linkages with other outfits.

The existence of training camps, hideouts and transit routes in the neighbouring States as well as the supply of arms from across the border are important security concerns for the entire NE region, Dr Sidhu said, adding that this needs to be effectively dealt with to contain the problem.

For bringing about lasting solution, he suggested efforts should be made by all concerned to bring the militants to the negotiating table for peace talks.

Speaking on the same line, Ibobi observed that the insurgency problem has undermined the progress of development works not only in Manipur but also in the entire region.

A conducive environment is necessary for speedy development activities, he said while stressing on the need to collectively works toward co-ordinated effort of tackling the problem and bringing about a lasting solution to militancy in the North East.

In view of the need for Manipur to improve its infrastructure at a faster pace, the Chief Minister urged the NEC for providing adequate fund while highlighting some of the State priorities.

On the integrated conservation and development of Loktak lake, Ibobi said although the project was approved under the 10th plan of NEC with an allocation of Rs 38 crores, there was no funding from any sources other than the meagre State plan during the last five years.

He, therefore, proposed for providing an outlay of Rs 15 crores for the project during the current financial year in place of the proposed NEC outlay of Rs 50 lakhs.

With regard to development in roads sector, the Chief Minister pointed out that the fund for important road projects like Tamenglong-Khongshang road, CCpur-Singhat road and Singhat-Sinzawl-Tuivai road, which have been included in the first priority of NEC submitted o the Planning Commission, have not been sanctioned.

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