Imphal: Manipur Governor VK Duggal on Monday said his government is taking steps to make Manipur a peaceful and prosperous state with all the communities living harmoniously.
Addressing the seventh session of the tenth Assembly, he said Manipur has been affected by insurgent activities spread over a period of over four decades where more than 60 militant outfits, including factions, are operating. Insurgency has adversely affected development, he said.
Realising that effective Counter Insurgency Operations alone cannot solve the problems, the government has invited various UG groups, operating in the state, to come forward for negotiation. The United Peoples Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), the United Revolutionary Front (URF) consisting of various KCP factions and its Army Wing, Manipur Army (MA), the KCP (Lamphel) and KYKL (MDF), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Nongdrenkhomba), UTLA (SK Thadou group) responded positively and signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Central and state governments.
In all, over 450 cadres belonging to these groups have laid down arms and process is on for their rehabilitation, he said.
During the hour long speech, which is the first address of the new governor, he also appealed to all to join hands and unitedly protect and preserve the territorial integrity of Manipur. He appealed to make Manipur a prosperous and buoyant state.
He said his hovernment has been striving for all round development and delivery of good governance for the welfare of the people. ‘Equitable and inclusive development with secular ideals have been the guiding values of my government. My government has impartially pursued development of our people residing in both the Hill and Valley areas,’ he said. (UNI)
