Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, September 12, 2009:
A meaningful convention cum prayer meeting was conducted at Chingmeirong in Imphal on Thursday organised by Ministry of Peace and Development-North East India (MPD-NEI) whereby large number of leaders hailing from different communities participated with regard to tranquility in Manipur and Assam's NC Hills and also a special prayer meeting for the bountiful harvest this year inspite of the deficit monsoon rains.
In this connection, the Ministry for Peace and Development, North East India (MPD-NEI) has appealed to all sections of people in the region, including civil organizations or any group not to call any bandh or blockade in the interest of the peace loving people, students and poor people who have already been facing all these social unrests and natural calamities.
Driving home its stand, the MPD-NEI said that the year 2009 was unfortunate for the farmers due to the deficit rainfall.
Given this grim situation calling of bandhs and blockades will give further hardship to the cultivators who will be struggling with the poor harvest for the morrows.
Ashang Kasar, chairman, MPD-NEI and Rev Khular, executive committee of the Ministry said that a prayer programme was conducted on at the MPD office at Chingmeirong, Imphal which was attended by 45 leaders from different communities.
The main aim of the prayer programme which was led by Rev Khular and Ashang Kasar is to bring peace and harmony in the Northeast region, particularly in restive Manipur and North Cachar Hills district of Assam, they said.
The participants of the programme resolved to request all civil organizations and groups not to call bandh or economic blockade in future, particularly during September to December, as the period is the season for harvest of crops and conduct of final examinations in most educational institutions of Manipur, they added.
Expressing serious concern on the effect of bandh and economic blockade on the common people and students particularly, the Ministry of Peace and Development-North East India requested all sections of society, civil organizations and groups not to call any bandh or blockade in the State during September to December in the interest of the peace loving people, students and poor people.