Lamka, November 25: At the 1st biennial general body meeting of the Senior Citizens For Society held on November 19 at the State Guest House, Sanjenthong, the various burning issues besetting the State were studied.

The main issues discussed during the meeting included territorial integrity of the North Eastern States, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 and the Tipaimukh Project.

Speaking at a press meet today, general secretary of the Society and retired professor L Sadananda informed that the biennial meeting resolved to urge the UPA Government to abide by its common minimum programme under which the status quo of the territorial integrity of the North Eastern States were guaranteed.

After making serious deliberations on the inaction of the Union Government despite the fact that the Justice Jeevari Reddy Committee had submitted its recommendations against AFSPA 1958 a year back, the senior citizens decided to insist upon the Centre to repeal the draconian Act in toto from all over the State.

Hailing the initiative of the Union Government to connect Moreh to Jiribam by railways via Tupul and Imphal as a part of its Look East Policy and its plan to upgrade National Highways of the State to four lane highways, the Senior Citizens decided to appeal for construction of Tipaimukh Project and other dams in the larger interest of the people of Manipur.

To urge for initiation of peace talk to solve the problem of insurgency, institution of special employment scheme for the unemployed youths of Manipur and establishment of highway protection force were the other resolutions adopted during the biennial general body meeting.

It further asked the State Government to take up necessary measures to check corruption while appealing to all the prospective candidates of the forthcoming Assembly elections not to resort to any unfair and unethical practices in the elections.

The Society also appealed to all the electorates not to sell away their franchise.

The meeting agreed on the need to strengthen State Police and to impart proper, training for crime management, conveyed Sadananda.

Taking part in the press meet, president of the Senior Citizens For Society retired advocate N Binoy clarified that the Society was not related to any organisation or body even though it took the liberty to present its views on various issues of the State from time and time.

He even went on to say that the Society was prepared to make any kind of sacrifice, if necessary.

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