SIPHRO

Imphal, January 25, 2006: Reiterating the offer for holding dialogue, Governor Dr SS Sidhu has called upon all the underground groups in Manipur to shun the path of violence as a means to achieve their ends.

In his address to the people on the eve of Republic Day celebration, 2006, the Governor said dialogue is the favoured approach of the Government for resolution to the conflict.

Manipur has been in the grip of insurgency for over two decades and it is high time that peace and normalcy is restored so that the people of Manipur could partake the fruits of economic development and prosperity, he said, while appealing to the underground outfits to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

He also called upon the people to fight and defeat the disruptive elements and strengthen forces of solidarity and harmony for bringing peace and order in the society.

Taking serious note of imposing frequent bandhs, strikes and road blockades for some cause or the other, the Governor said the main sufferers in these bandhs and strikes are the common people and specially the weaker section of the society who are living from hand to mouth and earn their livelihood through their day’s toil.

The Governor recalled that the economic blockade lasting 52 days during 2005 put tremendous strain on the people of the State and normal life and business activity was badly affected.

The planning and development work in the State also came to stand still, he highlighted.

Despite all this, the Governor appreciated the people of the State for exemplary display of maturity and resilience.

A positive fallout was opening up of the National Highway-53 providing an alternate lifeline for the State, he noted.

On the law and order front, the Governor said the situation was under control during 2005.Difficult situation erupts from time to time, but they were handled by the State’s law enforcing agencies with tact and firmness.

The army and other security forces also succeeded in restoring civil administration in Singnat, Henglep, Parbung and Thanlon sub-divisions of Churachandpur and other areas of the State, the Governor said in his address.

Dwelling at length on the achievements and developmental works taken up by the State Government, the Governor mentioned that the plan size increased in the current annual plan 2005-06 at Rs 985.97 crores.

This is the highest increase in the plan investment ever taken place in the State.

Launching of SEGP scheme to solve the problem of unemployment, development of Kangla fort under an approved Concept Development Plan (CDP), conversion of Manipur University into a Central University, Jiribam-Tupul Railway line, etc were also mentioned among the achievements of the Government.

Nonetheless, the Governor pointed out that the pace of planning and development work in the State need to be accelerated significantly.

Meanwhile, in connection with the Republic Day to be celebrated tomorrow, the names of the police personnel who would be honoured with Gallantry award have been announced.

In 18 police personnel would be presented with the prestigious President’s Police Medals and Police Medals.

The names of the police personnel who would be receiving the honour are SP of Imphal West Clay Khongsai, OC Commando Imphal West Inspector Krishnatombi, ASI K Boby, Constable L Dinesh, Constable S Naobi and Constable L Sanatomba.

Those selected for the Police Medals are Additional SP Imphal West Th Radheshyam, Jamadar I Khaba, ASI N Tikendra, ASI L Manik, SI Y Oken, Constable S Rohitkanta, Constable Md Hussain, Constable S Babloo, Constable N Ginjalien, Constable A Modhu Singh, Constable Th Suresh and Constable T Opendro.

Source: The Sangai Express