'Peace & devt should be brought simultaneously'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 13 2013: "Tackling militancy and bringing development to the doorsteps of our people has to be a two way process wherein we should try to restore peace and development simultaneously", Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has observed.

Delivering the key note address of a seminar programme on "Changing Contours of Manipur and Way Ahead" "Changing Contours of Manipur and Way Ahead" conducted by Red Shield Division at its Auditorium Hall at Leimakhong today, Chief Minister Ibobi further stated, "We recognize and accept that peace is an essential prerequisite for development; however, we cannot keep waiting for a peaceful environment to initiate and push forward the development process" .

While informing that he had agreed to take part in the seminar as he felt that it was the need of the hour to discuss frankly through such open forum and to work out a pragmatic way forward, Ibobi observed that the initiative taken up by the Army would be helpful in bringing bring back mutual trust, love, concern and restore the spirit of self sacrifices for each other in the State.

CM Ibobi and other Army officers and resource persons who attended the seminar on " Changing Contours of Manipur and Way Ahead'

He also pointed out that the peace and harmony which existed among the various communities in the State, the mutual love and concern for others, enabled them to live peacefully since time immemorial.

Their sacrificial spirit for the betterment of the community and the State is very scarce now and can hardly be seen among the people of the State.

The mutual love, trust and concern for others which have lost altogether now needs to be addressed seriously by all concerned.

Explaining that the main focus of his government is to improve basic infrastructure of power and connectivity, Chief Minister Ibobi maintained that his Government has been implementing various infrastructural and other human resource development schemes with the objective of ensuring "Good Governance" with inclusive growth in a sustainable way both in the hills and the plains.

The forum which represents a cross-section of the society will come up with some concrete and pragmatic suggestion on "Changing Contours of Manipur and Way Ahead", the Chief Minister hoped, and added that the State Government welcomes constructive suggestions on how we can do better.

He also appealed to the representatives of the CSOs, academicians, scholars and media persons to join hands with the government to provide leadership and right direction to the masses.

The day-long seminar was conducted in two sessions.

In the morning session which was chaired by retired Justice WA Shishak, resource persons like Prof Ch Priyoranjan, Prof W Nabakumar, Prof Amar Yumnam and Prof Salam Irene shared their views and opinions on "Changing contours of Manipur.

The second session was chaired Prof N Mohendro and Additional Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Prof L Sadananda, DGP Y Joykumar and Prof Amar Yumnam took part in the discussion on "The Way Ahead of Manipur" .

The seminar was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and other Ministers and MLAs of the State.