Law and order, economic crisis, corruption top priorities: new CM

IMPHAL, February 16: The newly, sworn-in Chief Minister, Radhabinod Koijam, in his first message to the people of Manipur, has declared that his government's first priorities would be to tackle the deteriorating law and order situation and the ongoing financial crisis, and to wipe out corruption. The new Chief Minister, in the first place, reiterated his government's commitment to bringing back peace in the state, acknowledging that the decades long problem of insurgency that the state had faced had retarded development, and frequent acts of violence had seriously disturbed public life. In this connection, the new Chief Minister appealed to the underground groups to give up violence, and to rejoin the national mainstream. While urging them to bring their grievances to the negotiating table, he called upon the UG groups to join in building a peaceful and prosperous Manipur. Radhabinod Koijam also acknowledged the role played by the meira paibi groups, the student community and public organisations in the social and economic life as well as in the development of the state and sought-their cooperation. He further stated that one of his government's top priorities would be to safeguard the territorial integrity, of the state, and perpetuation of harmonious relations among the various communities who have made it their home. Referring to the perpetual financial crisis faced by the state, he observed that apart from its inability to pursue development activities, the state government has hitherto not been able to even pay its employees their salaries regularly. Committing the People's Front government to pursuing all necessary means to bring the state out of its financial morass, he said it would take steps to cut down expenditure, increase domestic production, mobilize resources and to seek increase in funding from the Central government and other funding agencies. Promising a clean and transparent government, Radhabinod said society has been crippled by the disease of corruption, and pleaded to make all efforts to govern according to the wishes of the people. In this respect, he urged the print and electronic media to help the government stay in close touch with the people. Pledging to pay particular attention to the need for improving the quality of education in the state, he acknowledged the efforts made by student groups and private organisations in this regard, and sought their cooperation in the steps proposed to be taken by the government.