Manipur CM asks militants to lay down arms

Ibobi Singh was speaking after hoisting the national flag at the First Manipur Rifles Battalion Parade Ground amid tight security.

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Tuesday urged insurgents in the region to lay down arms and join the national mainstream, saying violence was not a solution to any issue.

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In a democratic country like India all problems can be sorted out through dialogue and discussions, Singh said in his Independence Day address, adding that without peace no development programme can be implemented effectively.

He was speaking after hoisting the national flag at the First Manipur Rifles Battalion Parade Ground amid tight security.

Officials said police and central forces were deployed at various places in the state capital complex in view of the calls for boycott of Independence Day celebrations and general strike today by the insurgent organisation Manipur People's Liberation Front.