Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said frequent economic blockades in Manipur would impede development and cause immense hardships to the common people.
"To my mind, there are no winners in such disruptive activities, there are only losers," Singh said addressing a large gathering at the Kangla Fort here. "It is my hope that we will not see a repeat of such actions in the future."
Singh was in Imphal on a daylong visit accompanied by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to inaugurate a series of infrastructure facilities. The visit was marked by a 14-hour strike by the coordination committee of seven major underground groups and boycott by various civil society groups.
Since July 31, Manipur had been reeling under two economic blockades causing a dearth of essential items in the state for almost four months.
The blockade was lifted on November 29 bringing relief, but the state is still facing fuel scarcity.
The PM said the UPA was making every possible effort for the progress of Manipur and other northeastern states.
He urged the people of Manipur to shun violence and let their demands be articulated through Constitutional means. "The devolution under the 13th Finance Commission from the Centre to the state for the period 2010-2015 is expected to be about R13,600 crore —- more than double the amount given in the period 2005-2010," Singh said.
On recent reports that the Centre was planning a 'supra state' for Nagas in the Northeast, Singh said there is no such proposal. "Integrity of Manipur will be protected. The state is an important part of the union."
{{/usCountry}}On recent reports that the Centre was planning a 'supra state' for Nagas in the Northeast, Singh said there is no such proposal. "Integrity of Manipur will be protected. The state is an important part of the union."
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