Delhi should initiate dialogues to resolve conflict, says Joy
House backs Joy, motion recorded
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 23 2010: Along with the State Assembly recording a motion moved by Opposition MLA O Joy of the MPP in public interest, to approach the Government of India to resolve the ongoing political conflict in Manipur, the State Government has also given its approval to the motion in consideration of its spirit.

Moving the motion in the Assembly session today, O Joy drew the attention of the Government of India and other related authorities to initiate dialogues to bring about a resolution to the ongoing political conflict in Manipur.

On account of this conflict, security forces in large number are being deployed to maintain law and order.

However incidents of crime and violence have not come down.

Firebrand MLA O Joy

All the UG groups operating in Manipur should act under some definite code of conduct and the security forces should respect the rule of law, O Joy observed.

Unfortunately, there are some elements who are taking advantage of the conflict situation and abducting people for ransom, he added.

O Joy went on to say that on account of the law and order problem, Manipur today is far behind in the race for development of India.

The ongoing conflict has affected developmental activities of the State so much so doubts have been raised whether Manipur would be able to translate the North East Vision Document, 2020 .

The political conflict can never be resolved militarily.

So, the House should pass a resolution and approach the Government of India for dialogue, O Joy proposed.

Participating in the discussion, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that people of Manipur want peace.

There is the need for a public movement to pave the way for resolution of the ongoing political conflict.

Now that public have started losing trust on the causes being espoused by various UG groups, we should take advantage of this, he added.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat pointed out that for resolution of the conflict and help the Centre in dealing with the issue as well as to present Manipur in good light, there is the need for a body of intellectuals and experts and set up an office at the Central level.

In response to the discussion of the motion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh accepted the spirt of the motion and reiterated that killing is not going to bring about any solution.

He explained that increase in the number of security forces deployed in Manipur are not for killing UGs but for the maintenance of law and order which is essential for taking up developmental projects.

The doors of the State and the Central Government would remain wide open to listen to the likes and dislikes of the UGs once there is normalcy in the law and order situation.

The Chief Minister went on to say that during his recent visit to Manipur Union Home Minister P Chidambaram visited a designated camp at Singhat and interacted with leaders of some UG groups which are signatories of Suspension of Operation.

During the interaction, the Union Home Minister had made it cleared that there should not be any indulge in violent activities since the designated camps have been set up and had also assured that the same would also be made applicable to the security forces.

Since talks have started, there would normalcy in the State sooner or latter, the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister said that Manipur is a home to many communities.

So no community should think of separate homeland or autonomy.

If a demand is reasonable, then the Government would listen to it.

The Chief Minister further informed that House that along with initiating dialogue with KCP Lallumba group, rehabilitation of 121 cadres including 9 leaders of the armed group who have deposited their arms have been started.

Centre is being pressured for providing basic amenities, if it really thinks Manipur is a part and parcel of India.

Civil Aviation Ministry has given its approval to introduction of night landing facilities at Tulihal Airport.

Efforts would be made to increase the number of flight services during day time with including of Jet Airlines and for night landing of Indian Airlines flights.