Give peace a chance for development : CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 23 2010: Chief Minister O Ibobi today called upon the people of Manipur to maintain peace and harmony so that the state could march ahead towards development.

"Let's give peace a chance so that development could be brought about in the state, so that we can compete with other states," the Chief Minister said.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of the newly constructed main gate at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex at Khongjom.

The gate was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 98 lakh.

The Chief Minister, who was the chief guest at the function, also appealed to the people to take part in the efforts of the government to usher in development in the state.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, his wife MLA O Landhoni, Works Minister K Ranjit, Tourism Minister TN Haokip, MLA M Oken and Commissioner, Tourism KK Chhetri offering floral tributes to the forefathers in Khongjom river

Development can be brought about when there is a culture of harmony, peace and co-existence.

Regarding the inauguration of the newly constructed main gate, the Chief Minister said that the government has a policy to develop the historic memorial complex at Khongjom as one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the state.

The government is determined to make the complex an attractive site for tourists.

For achieving this end, the government will go hand in hand with the Khongjom Memorial Trust, Chief Minister Ibobi said.

While appealing to the people not to give any kind of objection in acquiring land in the surrounding areas that would be needed for developing the complex, Chief Minister Ibobi sought cooperation of the people, particularly those in the surrounding areas of the complex.

Calling on the people to maintain peace, Ibobi said that it is a must for the state to develop such a complex as a pilgrimage so that people can pay homage to the heroes of yesteryears who sacrificed their lives for the sake of "our motherland" and being able to offer tributes and homage to them is indeed fortunate for the people of the state.

Minister of IPR, Tourism and PHED, TN Haokip, who presided over the function spoke about a vision of development of the memorial site, and said that the gate inaugurated today was part of the development of the complex.

It may be mentioned here that the gate was constructed as part of development of Khongjom War Memorial Complex where the last war of independence of Manipur was fought against the British.

The development of the complex is being taken up by the state tourism department by dividing the project into 10 components.

The estimated cost is ' 252 lakh.

Other components include construction of an approach road, a Sankritan hall, open air theatre, open plaza, children's park, water tank, toilet, Ghat, a bridge connecting plaza with memorial and a parking place.

State Works Minister, K Ranjit, MLAs M Hemanta, M Oken, Md Helalluddin Khan and O Landhoni, Tourism Commissioner KK Chhetry and Thoubal DC W Rajen attended today's function at Khongjom.

The chief minister also led the gathering in offering floral tributes to the forefathers in the Khongjom river.