Manmohan extends healing mission to Manipur

Nov 21, 2004 12:55 IST

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday extended his healing mission from Jammu and Kashmir to Manipur as the people of the insurgency-hit state defied a curfew imposed by an underground outfit and came out in large numbers to cheer him.

During a hectic daylong visit, the prime minister called upon militant groups to shun violence and talk peace, launched work on Manipur’s first railway network, promised to review a controversial anti-terrorist law and handed over a historic fort that is a symbol of the state’s culture and traditions.

After his mission to Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week, Manmohan Singh sought to reach out to the people of Manipur, lauding them for their national spirit and referring to the enchanting beauty of their state, which he described as the Jewel of India.

Although he did not announce any economic package or invite the rebels to come to the negotiating table, his addresses at two public functions were greeted with repeated applause.

Development was the recurrent theme of Manmohan Singh’s visit as he laid the foundation stone of a multibillion-rupee railway line in Jiribam, 200 km west of this state capital, finally giving the troubled northeastern state a much-needed railway network.

We hope this railway line would help in better connectivity and improving the infrastructure in this remote region, Singh said. We are committed to working towards overall development in the region.

The 7.28-billion rupee ($160 million) broad gauge railway line will connect the region with the rest of India.

Speaking on the same occasion, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad announced five special railway projects for the state.

The prime minister touched an emotional chord while participating in a function to mark the handing over of Kangla Fort, long a symbol of Manipuri culture and traditions, by the paramilitary Assam Rifles to the state government.

Many shed tears of joy as hundreds of people including school children in their uniforms waved mini tricolours and applauded the prime minister.

For years, we have been pleading with the government to hand over the fort to us, but it took a prime minister of the stature of Manmohan Singh to translate that dream into reality, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said.

But the prime minister did not respond to the chief minister’s exhortations to open talks with the underground outfits in the state just like you are talking to Naga insurgent groups.

Instead, he appealed to all separatist groups to give up arms and open peace talks with the state government.

We want all groups to eschew violence and join the constitutional process, the prime minister said.

It is not proper to resort to arms when grievances can be redressed through constitutional means, Manmohan Singh maintained, adding that peace was a prerequisite for the development of the region.

There cannot be development if there is no peace or order, he added.

I appeal to all sections of society and youth to help us in nation- building and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in Manipur.

We will be a partner with the state government in investing for improving the infrastructure, expanding roads, modernising the state’s agriculture and focusing our attention on employment generation schemes, Manmohan Singh said.

If this happens, Manipur will become the greatest jewel of India.

The enthusiasm of the gathering as well as people who lined the streets in some parts of the city was in sharp contrast to the deserted roads that greeted Manmohan Singh’s arrival in the morning on a 24-hour visit.

The Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), political wing of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had called a 24-hour curfew to protest the prime minister’s visit, alleging that it was aimed at strengthening deployment of troops in the state.

But most residents said the shutdown should not be seen as people’s support for the terrorist s.

They just don’t want to get noticed and being approached by the PLA with extortion demands in the name of fine for defying the curfew.

--Indo-Asian News Service

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