By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 14: “There is no question of redrawing of Manipur territorial boundary, the Government of India acknowledges the territorial integrity of Manipur”, said Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram today upon his arrival in Imphal on a two-day visit to take stock of development and security in the State.
The Home Minister stated this during an interaction programme with the students held at the GP Women College soon after his arrival in Imphal on a two day visit to the state.
Chidambaram landed at the Imphal Tulihal Airport this afternoon around 2:30 pm on a special IAF aricraft. He was received by YAS, IFCD minister, N Biren, DGP Manipur Y Joykumar and other top officials of the state government at the airport.
Soon after landing at the airport the Home Minister headed straight for the interaction programme at GP women College after a brief halt at the Raj Bhavan, Imphal.
While briefing media persons at the Airport, on the purpose of the visit of the Home Minister, minister N. Biren, who is also spokesperson of the SPF Ministry said that the Home Minister is here to meet and interact with the general public.
Meanwhile, speaking during the interaction programme, the Union Home Minister, claimed that peace is slowly bouncing back in the entire North Eastern region adding he is yet appealing again to the people of the region to reconcile for peace before the implementation of vision-2020.
Chidambaram noted that each and every individual in every nook and corner of Manipur are Indian citizens and every one has equal Rights. He stress that the majority community of a state has a vital role in resolving and addressing any conflicts between two minor communities.
While maintaining that the Central Government has started dialogue with some of militant organization and at the same time appointing of interlocutor is underway for the said purpose, adds the Home Minister.
Subsequently, he appealed to other militant outfits, who are yet to come to negotiating table, to come forward to join hand in building peace and development adding the door is always open for them.
India is a birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, a peace loving man and let us fulfill his dream for creating a peaceful atmosphere, said the Home Minister.
“Come back to peace, take power, take responsibilities” said Home Minister, Chidambaram.
He appealed all the section for collective efforts in making Manipur one of the develop state in the country.
Chidambaram revealed that the interaction programme was organized on his request and thanked the organizers, students, for extending their co-operation in making the programme as success.
The Home Minister termed Manipur as a land of rich heritage with records of historic events, rich culture and tradition and till date has maintained and preserve its legacy unlike other state. However he held that some problems and difficulties being faced by the people is of their own creation and in order to change the situation to a better one, it is up to the younger generations to decide the fate of the future society of Manipur.
Further, during the programme, students were allowed to interact individually with the Home Minister, by raising queries.
In his response to a question put up by a student on the issue of frequent economic blockade along the two National Highways, the Home Minister revealed that the NH-53 has been upgraded adding it is the duty of the public to oppose and protest to such blockade or strike which is affecting the life of the public.
In another response to the question on the reason behind recruiting more persons in armed forces rather than teachers or staffs for development of education, the Home Minister said that Gun is the symbol of North East, Assam and J&K, and the situation is much worst as no VIP can roam around freely without any security escorts. At the same time he also assured to convene to the Chief Minister of Manipur for the shortage of man power of teachers.
He further condemned the frequent rape, molest meted out to North Easterner, and the law enforcers are doing their best to avoid such incident.
The prgamme was also attended by Education minister, L Jayenta Kumar, K Moses Commissioner Higher Education and other officials of the education department etc.