PM concerned over Manipur situation

Nainital, Sep 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said violence levels in North-Eastern states had fallen as compared to past years even though he expressed concern over the current situation in Manipur.

"The region remains trouble-prone. Manipur remains currently the most disturbed: during the past year, almost 40 per cent of all violent incidents reported from the region were from Manipur," he said, addressing a two-day conclave of Congress Chief Ministers here.

He said the growing divide between the Nagas and Kukis in the hill districts and the Meiteis in the plains was one reason for this. The growing consolidation among various underground formations and ethnic groups was another--this needed to be reversed. "The state needs to ensure equitable development and care of all regions." Dr Singh said Asom and Nagaland both provided variants of the same phenomenon. The ULFA faced a dilemma of declining support and morale within Asom and hence a desire on the part of the local leaders to hold talks with the government--as against the intransigence, displayed by their leaders outside who remained intent on persisting with violent conflict.

In Nagaland, extortions and sporadic violent incidents continued.

Much of the actual violence was, however, limited to fratricidal clashes between the different Naga factions. The writ of the state government was limited. What was, however, becoming obvious was that in dealing with the problems of peripheral states, there was need to display much greater sensitivity, and adopt a nuanced approach given the unique nature of the people of the region, he said.

UNI AT PK KN1455