Moreh, March 15, 2010: Lt.General NK Singh, GOC 3 Corps, has said that a national level effort has to be undertaken to show that India cares and that it is in National interest to see a vibrant Manipur.

The Corps Commander said this while giving the closing address at the end of a one-day seminar on "Conflict Resolution in Manipur" held today at the Red Shield Auditorium at Leimakhong organised by Red Shield Division (57 Mtn Divn).

Asserting that Manipur was sorely in the need of Perception Management, Lt Gen NK Singh said, "We have to rid ourselves of fixed ideas, prejudices, past baggage and think of the future".

"We have to focus our energies on the youth and see how we can ensure a brighter future for them.

If we can divert our energies to this task the battle would be nearly won," he said.

The GOC 3 Corps pointed out that "...among the biggest problems facing Manipur is the problem of corruption, extortion and drugs�and in some ways these are linked.

There is only one way to tackle this menace�some of us have to start by saying NO and the security forces have to provide safety for those who say so.

It's not going to be easy and mutual confidence levels have to increase but unless there is social mobilisation this problem cannot be overcome.

The RTI is a great tool which can be used to check institutional wrongdoings".

He further said, "There is no doubt that Manipur is in need of genuine development but what is more important is that it has to be inclusive development.

The Hill areas have to be addressed in a more significant manner.

There is a disparity which needs to be narrowed� in education, infrastructure, health care etc.

Inter group equity and provision of basic services is absolutely essential".

He said, "Economic activity will be fuelled by participation with other parts of India and plugging into the Indian economic growth.

The targeting of non-Manipuris will ultimately block all inflow of resources, ideas, expertise and industry.

This will have a huge adverse impact on the state economy".

Expressing concern about the ethnic based activities in Manipur, Lt Gen Singh said, "Ethnic mobilization is a double edged sword.

In some cases it can reinforce the state and enhance its overall capacity and legitimacy in society; but it can also diminish its strengths, compromise its legitimacy and further fragment society.

That outcome will depend on whether identity construction and mobilisation is inclusive or exclusionary".

Earlier, delivering the opening address, Maj Gen DS Hooda, GOC 57 Mtn Divn said that there is vibrancy which one will seldom see anywhere else�in the people and their songs, the dances, the football match in every locality.

But there are also problems which are preventing this State from achieving its full potential.

"Manipur, like India, is a melting pot of diverse culures, religions, castes, languages and ethnicities, Despite these diversities, the fact of unalterable geographical reality, a history of common past and a shared vision of a brighter future should bind the society together, both in India and Manipur," he said.

Maj Gen Hooda further said that in Manipur, there is Suspension of Operations with some underground groups, which has resulted in the reduction of violence in the state.

"But the absence of violence does not mean 'peace.' Conflict Resolution cannot be viewed in terms of peace accords and ceasefire or Suspension of Operations only.

There is a need to explore the larger dimensions of peace, which is inclusive in nature, long lasting and integrates those who abjure violence into the mainstream of society".

The GOC, 57 Mtn Divn further pointed out that one of the primary reasons for spawning of insurgencies in the North East region was a feeling of neglect and alienation.

"It is said that the 'ripple effects of conflict in the NE reverberate within the region itself' as the region is geographically bottled up," the GOC said.

Quoting Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's description of Manipur as a "Jewel of India", Maj Gen Hooda pointed out that Manipur has a rich and proud history.

"The people of Manipur educated and a talented lot.

They possess multifaceted skills and have excelled in a number of fields a the national and international level and have brought glory to the nation.

While the nation feels proud of them and remains indebted to them, one feels sad that potential of its people is being suppressed due to continuing violence".

He said, the seminar on Conflict Resolution in Manipur has been organised to have a free exchange of ideas/views.

The purpose of the seminar was to explore the prospect of peace by hearing diverse opinions and view points on the issues afflicting the state, a PIB (Defence Wing) statement informed.

An important highlight of the seminar was that all participants belonged to the state itself giving the audience an insider's perspective on the various contours of the conflict & violence.

The themes of the seminar included "Understanding Ethnicity and Alienation," "Role of various Institutions in the Peace Process" and "An approach to Conflict Resoltuion".

People from all districts of Manipur, representatives of various schools, colleges, tribal and student bodies, human rights organisations and media attended the seminar.

Justice (Retd), WA Shishak gave the keynote address.

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