Communal harmony a must for Progress in Manipur: Chidambaram
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray / Newmai News Agency

Jessami/Senapati, November 02 2011: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram appealed for communal harmony among the people living in the state for progress to take place and assured adequate funds for development in Manipur.

In his public address in Jessami on Wednesday, P Chidambaram said, "In Manipur, we must all live together as one family.

Whether it's Meitei, Naga, Kuki or any other community, if we all live in peace and harmony; we can become prosperous" .

Home Minister stated the Government of India has enough fund for development and fund should not be a constraint.

If there is peaceful co-existence among the people in Manipur, he stated that "In ten years, the face of Manipur will be changed" .

Infusing a spirit of nationalism among the people in remote Jessami, Chidambaram said, "We are Indian first.

Whatever differences we have, be it tribe, caste, colour or religion, we must be proud that we belong to one country" .

He added, "Whatever we do, we must do it for our country first," On Wednesday afternoon, the Union Home Minister inaugurated 33/11 KV power sub-station, SDPO office complex, SDO/BDO building, and Primary Health Centre in Jessami.

Chidambaram said, with all these facilities in place, the public will get better healthcare.

The Union Home Minister arrived at Jessami in a helicopter at about 12.45pm accompanied by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, state Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and MPCC President Gaikhangam.

AICC Northeast incharge Luizinho Faleiro and Home Ministry joint secretary (NE incharge) Shambu Singh also accompanied the Union minister.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is on his fourth visit to Jessami, said that the state government will puts all possible efforts in developing the state.

"We should live together, despite misunderstandings to develop the state," he appealed.

Many Tangkhul organisations also attended the function and accorded the visiting dignitaries with gifts.

Hundreds of people turned up at the public function, the Chief Minster received warm applause as he addressed the gathering.

Earlier, addressing a public meeting at Senapati, the Home Minister said that the democratic process of dialogue is the best way to approach any issue.

The visiting Union home minister then informed Naga leaders in a separate meeting that "much progress has been in the Indo-Naga dialogue and that the government of India is sincere in solving the issue.

Chidambaram also informed the Naga leaders that the tripartite talks involving the United Naga Council, the state government of Manipur and New Delhi should resume at the earliest time possible.

The tripartite talk is pertaining to the demand of the UNC for the "Alternative Arrangement" outside the government of Manipur for the Nagas in that state.

However, the visiting Union minister failed to convince the Naga leaders to call off their agitation.

The UNC had announced a 72-hour bandh from midnight of November 3 in protest against the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) and the state government of Manipur for the creation of Sadar Hills.

The UNC has been opposing the Sadar Hills district creation.

P Chidambaram was accompanied by Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh in the meeting with Naga leaders today in Senapati.

Meanwhile, addressing the people at Senapati today, the Union minister said the centre wants to fully utilize the funds provided to the State by it, saying funds from the centre are meant for various developmental works like repairing of roads but most of the funds are being utilized for security purposes because there is no peace in the State.

"We must learn to live together and then understand each other and accommodate one another", said Chidambaram.

The home Minister said, "There is no such problem which cannot be solved through dialogue.

There may be different of opinions in all the sections of Manipur but we must understand each other" .

"We are all Indians and all the citizens live in the State and there is not a state called community state", he further said.

Chidambaram said, "Manipur also has different communities and we must learn to live together" .

Funds come from the centre are meant for various developmental works like repairing roads are not able to fully utilize and instead they are using for security purposes because there is no peace in the State, he lamented, adding that the centre wants to fully utilize the funds meant for a particular purpose.

He also said, "keep peace in the State and there will be no shortage of fund from the central government" .

Chief Minister O Ibobi, who was accompanying the Home Minister on the Senapati trip appealed to withdraw the bandh and blockade imposed by United Naga Council (UNC) on National highways.

"We are all Indian citizens living together in Manipur.

We should help each other", the Chief Minister said in his address to the public.

Although a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the State Government and the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC), all the communities will be consulted before taking any decision, Ibobi insisted.

He, however, said a series of problems come up whenever the Government tried to solve one problem in the State.

Chidambaram also met leaders of UNC, NPO, ANSAM, etc during the Senapati tour but it is not clear what transpired at the meeting, which went on about 30 minutes, sources said.

After returning from Ukhrul in the afternoon, Chidambaram chaired a meeting at Raj Bhawan here which was attended by Chief Minister, ministers, State officials among others.

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