JIRIBAM, Nov 20 ? Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has reiterated his appeals to the insurgents of the north eastern region particularly outfits operating in this sensitive border state to eschew the path of violence and join the national mainstream for restoration of peace and prosperity at the earliest. He said doors are always open for meaningful dialogues with all insurgent groups.
Speaking as chief guest while laying the foundation stone of the multi crore Jiribam-Imphal railway line here, the Prime Minister categorically stated that military action will not solve the problem of insurgency in the region as a solution can only be thrashed out through political dialogue.
The appeals assumes significance in the backdrop of the 24-hour statewide public curfew imposed by the proscribed Revolutionary People?s Front since Friday midnight to boycott (Prime Minister?s) two day visit to the state beginning from Saturday.
In response to the rebels? call, shops and business establishments in this border town downed their shutters though hundreds attended the public meeting addressed by the Prime Minister at historic Kangla, the seat of cultural activities of princely state of Manipur.
Stating that the demands of the various insurgent groups operating in the State include cecession from India, the Prime minister said that the prevailing gun culture has reduced an oasis of peace into a disturbed State. The existing problem could not be solved through military action and a solution will come only through political dialogue within the framework of the Indian constitution, he said.
The situation in the north eastern India has been further aggravated by the machinations of the underground politics and this region is being destroyed by insurgents and other groups and other anti social elements acting in the name of ethnic preservation and other lofty sounding political objectives.
The country, in the last few decades has witnessed unprecedented violence and restlessness in the history of the North Eastern states in general and Manipur in particular. People feel horrified when the people in the country realize the gravity of the situation in this region.
Most of the states in the region have been facing several common problems like that of insurgency, financial crunch, lack of industrial growth, etc. However, there is no co-coordinated attempt among them to tackle it. There are over 40 insurgent outfits operating in the region on various demands of which at least 22 insurgent groups are mainly operating in Manipur alone.