Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today blamed the frequent bandhs, blockade and the widespread extortion by militants as a hindrance to the government effort in taking up welfare and development schemes for the benefit of the people.
“We are plagued with the problem of militancy, underdevelopment and poverty. We do recognise that peace and progress and prosperity go together. We have taken up several welfare and development schemes for the benefit of our people. Unfortunately, frequent bandhs, blockades and widespread extortions have been hindrances to our endeavours”, said Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh while addressing the key note address to the inaugural session of the seminar on “An Emergent Manipur: The Way Ahead” at IGAR South Head Quarters, Maniptripukhri.
Expressing his concerns to the prevailing situation in the state, Ibobi said that relationships between various communities of the state have been vitiated by vested interested individuals in the recent pass to further their own agenda. He appealed the participants of the seminar to come up with some tangible suggestions for remedial action towards restoration of the traditional communal amity.
“I would like to emphasise that in a democratic set-up, like ours, there is enough space for all of us to express our concerns and grievances,” Ibobi said and added that the burning down of Government properties as an expression of discontentment is an extremely wrong approach.
While calling call upon armed militant groups in the state to abjure violence and lay down their arms Ibobi said that no discourse on Manipur is complete without a discussion on the activities of the various militant groups active in the state. He said these militants extort money from almost all sections of our people at gunpoint.
He further said that his government is successful in the suspension of operation agreement with the kuki militants group besides bringing some valley base arm groups in joining the main stream.
“We are open to dialogue with all such groups to address their genuine and perceived grievances”, Ibobi added.
On the role of media, the chief minister appealed the journalists to play constructive role by highlighting issues that require immediate attention in the state of Manipur.
“Constructive criticism of the government is essential for the democratic system to be effective and responsive”, Ibobi added.
The Chief Minister further appealed the media to make public aware of the developmental works and welfare measures initiated by the government.
