The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan reaches out to Manipuris

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 21, 2004

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Front Page

Manmohan reaches out to Manipuris

By Vinay Kumar

IMPHAL, NOV. 20. It was a historic day for the people of Manipur when the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, presided over a ceremony to hand over the Kangla Fort — located in the heart of the Imphal city — to the State Government.

``Let the handing over of the Kangla Fort, the pride and glory of the State, open a new chapter in the history of Manipur, a chapter of understanding, amity, peace, justice, prosperity and all-round progress,'' the Prime Minister said in his emotional appeal at a well-attended, public meeting at the Fort complex.

The day also saw Dr. Singh upgrade Manipur University as a Central University and lay the foundation stone for a 98-km rail link between Jiribaum and Imphal (Tupul) — two boons for the State that has been embroiled in an agitation by students, civil society groups and others since July for lifting the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

People applauded as the Assam Rifles Director-General, Lt. Gen. Bhupinder Singh, handed over the Fort's keys to the Manipur Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh.

The Kangla Fort was conquered by the British forces in 1891. The Assam Rifles came to the fort in 1915 and it has been in its use since then. ``It is great, we have been waiting for this day,'' several persons at the public meeting said.

Dr. Singh appealed to all sections of Manipuri society to come forward and engage themselves in the task of nation-building. ``When constitutional and other legal methods are available to redress our grievances, it is not proper to resort to arms to register protest against the Government which is willing to seek remedies to the genuine problems of the people through meaningful negotiations.''

`We need peace'

On his maiden visit to the agitation-scarred Manipur after assuming office six months ago, the Prime Minister's message was clear: ``We need peace, security and political stability for all-round progress. If we can work together to bring normalcy back, I can assure you that Manipur will become the Jewel of India.''

Panel to look into Armed Forces Act

Referring to the demand for the withdrawal of the AFSPA, he said the Government had set up a committee to review it. It would suggest checks and balances in the Act or its replacement with a ``more humane law which takes into account your legitimate aspirations and national security concerns.'' He hoped that the committee's work, expected to be completed in six months, would result in lasting peace and harmony.

`Healing touch'

Dr. Singh's ``healing touch'' was also evident in his address at the ninth convocation of Manipur University where he appreciated the achievements of the university and agreed to upgrade it as a Central University to tide over paucity of funds. He also assured hostel facilities to students from the North-Eastern States who go to Delhi or other centres of education. At the university also, Dr. Singh expressed his sympathy with the legitimate aspirations of Manipuris and took note of the concerns regarding the Armed Forces Act. ``There are also the imperatives of national security. In order to strike a balance between the two, we have set up a Committee to review the provisions of the Act,'' he said.

He sought to remove misgivings about his Government's commitment to Manipur's economic and social development by promising to bring in new investment and employment opportunities. ``I want to work towards removing forever any sense of isolation that may be there. We will build new physical links and nurture old emotional ones so that Manipur is never far from us.''

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