Imphal, September 15, 2010: In a conflict-ridden state like Manipur, a good and able governance is a must, said Governor Gurbachan Jagat speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of a seminar on "Manipur � The Way Forward" held at Hotel Classic, North AOC today which was presided by Chief Minister, O Ibobi.

While, the Chief Minister, O Ibobi blamed the Planning Commission of India citing that it was due to delay in the release of funds that the state government is unable to complete most of the projects and schemes within the targeted period.

The seminar held today is the second of a series of seminars, the first one was held in April on "Peace Dividend" wherein the participants were policy makers, intellectuals and representatives from the government agencies.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor recalled that in the last seminar, it was generally agreed that peace is an integral part of economic development.

Other important issues referred to were the need of good governance and the impact of blockades and bandhs on the process of development and peace.

"Any issue in Manipur has various divergent opinions on an issue," Gurbachan asserted that the presence of academics, intellectuals, representatives of civil societies, senior citizens, representatives of the media and government agencies in the seminar was a welcome sign.

"This is an important step as it accepts that Manipur has numerous problems and there is a need to find out solutions through interaction with various stakeholders, Only when we realize that we have a problem, can we take steps to mitigate it," the chief guest said.

Chief Minister, O Ibobi who presided over the inaugural function said that many major projects including the development projects of national highways taken up a long time back have not been completed till date due to delay in the release of funds by the Planning Commission of India.

The non-release of funds for developmental projects in time coupled with frequent blockades bandhs, and insurgency has plagued all developmental projects and schemes in the state, he said citing Khuga Multi-purpose project, Thoubal project etc.

as examples.

Against heavy odds, Manipur government is implementing various action plans for development, peace for giving good governance to the people of the state.

The inaugural session was followed by a technical session in which panelists from various works of life emphasized that various communities and civil organisation leaders should interact and meet often in order to understand each other and to chalk out strategies to solve the problems prevailing in the state.

Manipur University's Dr Arambam Lokendro, Niketu Iralu of Nagaland, Dr T.Lunkim, historian Prof Gangmumei Kamei, Justice (retired) W.A Shishak, Prof L.Sadananda, Prof Amar Yumnam, Dr Dhanabir Laishram, Dr Bimol Akoijam, Dr (Fr) Linus Neli, journalist and social activist Valley Rose, Imphal Free Press editor Pradip Phanjoubam, journalist Yumnam Rupachandra, journalist Yambem Laba, Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Y.Joykumar, Inspector General of Assam Rifles C.A Khrishnan and Dr Viyalakshmi participated as panelists in the seminar organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms.

Presenting his paper, Niketu Iralu said that New Delhi is not going to solve the problems of the region but it is for the people to solve the problems on their own.

They should sit down together by organising seminars and meetings at various levels very often.

He said "India is a huge country and New Delhi has so many problems to deal with, so it is we who should help solve our own problems," citing that meeting each other together will help in bringing understanding of each other.

Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, a former chief minister stressed that when the country is moving forward in development, the region cannot remain inactive.

Progress will come in due course of time but nobody will come to solve the problems faced by the people of the region.

"It is we who should solve the problems by ourselves," he stated.

Prof Sadananda said that development has to be there to bring peace in the society.

He also lamented that the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the region has instead of minimizing the problem, brought adverse effects in the region.

The healing process has to be there to begin with said Justice (retired) WA Shishak urging people to stop shouting from a far at others.

"We should also stop talking about others but let us talk to them," he suggested sharing his opinion that it is better to talk to the �enemies' then talking to friends if one is genuinely keen to solve the problems.

Dr Vijayalakhsmi lamented that in many foreign countries women are given a place to deal with important issues but in a place like ours, the importance of women is not recognised.

Prof Gangmumei Kamei stressed that reconciliation among the concerned groups is necessary to bring progress in the society.

Dr Dhanabir Laishram said that there should be a composite approach among the people of the region to protect the interest of the people here instead of fighting amongs ourselves to safeguard those namesakes given by outsiders.

He said the names Kukis, Nagas and Manipuris have all been coined by outsiders.

Economist Amar Yumnam gave a critical view of India's policy in the region.

He said India suffers from a China phobia.

Pradip Phanjoubam talked on the topic, 'Media spaces and dynamics in times of conflict'.

He cited the analytical view on the working of media in the challenges faced by the journalists today.

Rupachandra Yumnam talked about the negligence of the media from mainland India on the North East region.

He blamed it on over commercialisation of the media.

Journalist Yambem Laba talked about the media before the internet existed and the media today.

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