On New Year, Manipur prays for peace and prosperity

IMPHAL: Despite the presence of a large number of insurgent groups in the state, Manipur witnessed the least number of encounters between militants and security forces in the last year, as compared to previous years, even as people of the state prayed for a peaceful and prosperous 2012.

The year that just ended also saw a record number of 240 cadres belonging to different outfits surrendering to the government.

The number of militants gunned down by security forces across the state in 2011 was 11, a figure much smaller than 2010's record of 70.

However, the government is not taking any chances and over 350 companies of central paramilitary forces would be deployed in the strife-torn state in view of the ensuing tenth state assembly polls slated for January 28.

Trying to put behind the turbulent times the state has seen, people prayed on New Year's Day, wishing for peace, development and prosperity for Manipur in 2012.

"With a new year beginning, I pray to god to restore peace and communal harmony in Manipur and set the state on the path of rapid development. We also fervently appeal to all concerned not to resort to imposing economic blockades on the national highways in the coming year. We suffered tremendous hardships during the 120-day-long blockade of two highways by the SHDDC and the UNC in 2011," said S G Sharma, an Imphal resident.

In his New Year greeting to the people of the state, governor Gurbachan Jagat said he wished 2012 would bring peace, bonhomie and harmony in the lives of all the people of Manipur.

Chief minister O Ibobi Singh's New Year message was on similar lines and said, "The New Year gives us a chance to renew our resolve to strive for individual as well as collective well-being." He further wished this year would bring peace, prosperity and happiness to all the people of Manipur.

GOC of 57 mountain division Major General Binoy Poonen and inspector general of Assam Rifles (South) Major General UK Gurung and all ranks of the two forces prayed for peace, unity, harmony and all-round progress of the people of the state.

With a new year beginning, I pray to god to restore peace and communal harmony in Manipur and set the state on the path of development. We also fervently appeal to all concerned not to impose economic blockades on the national highways in the coming year. We suffered tremendous hardships during the 120-day-long blockade in 2011