Imphal, July 28: A one-day symposium on the theme of 'Save Manipur' was organised under the auspices of Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur at the conference hall of State Guest House here today.

Society president N Binoy Singh moderated both the first and the second session of the symposium.

Member of Human Rights Commission RK Rajendra Singh and general secretary of Senior Citizens for Society L Sadananda shared their observations on the topic of 'Failure of administration and misgovernance in Manipur' during the first session of the symposium.

Rajendra maintained that disunity and distrust among the various ethnic groups of people living in Manipur is one of the most serious issues being faced today.

'One of the main reasons for this is the misgovernance of the State Government', he alleged, while pointing out that there is vast difference between the lifestyle and living standard of the people living in the hill and the valley areas of Manipur.

Over and above, the contributing factors of geographical location, and professing of different religions, denial of rights and share of development of the people living in the backward hill areas, lack of proper communication facilities and inaction of the Government caused difficulties in bringing about emotional integration of the hill and the valley people, he said.

In similar vein, Sadananda categorically stated that the State Government in a total failure as it has not been able to accomplish the first and the foremost duty of safeguarding the rights and properties of its people.

Lamenting over the predicament of the Manipuri people, Sadananda said they have been caught in the proverbial situation of between the deep sea and the demon of the State and non-State actors.

While the people have been denied their rights to life and subjected to various crimes by the State forces along with imposition of draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act, non-State actors who claimed themselves to be working for the welfare of the people have also been making the life of the common people miserable, he said.

He further said that corruption in public life has become an almost an accepted norm in Manipuri society today.

But the Government has not taken up to curb the menace.

During the second session of the symposium, Retired Col Achouba Singh and Khaidem Mani presented their observations on the topic of 'Social chaos and anarchy in Manipur'.

Achouba categorically observed that no one but the people of Manipur themselves can and should solve the numerous problems afflicting the State today.

The society can move forward and there can be peace and development only when the people do away with their narrow parochial outlook and personal gains.

Khaidem Mani said the root cause of the prevailing social chaos and anarchy should be analysed and understand properly for effective solution to the problems of Manipuri society.

Many invitees also made their observations on related matters.

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