Violence will not derail NE development mission: DoNER minister

Violence would not be allowed to hamper Centre's "mission" for development of Northeast, said Union DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) minister Jitendra Singh. The Union minister visited Northeastern state of Manipur yesterday after Indian armed forces carried out surgical strike against terrorists in Myanmar.

Singh held a joint meeting with different political and social groups and representatives of civil society in Manipur. He said, "The message should go out loud and clear to everybody, including those who are not able to attend today's meeting that all of us are jointly committed to maintain atmosphere of peace and harmony in the region because any incident that disturbs peace has an adverse effect on the development."

Referring to the surgical strike by Indian forces, he said, "Sometimes such actions are resorted to check the elements which tend to disturb peace, but overall the government's approach is that of reconciliation, peace and mutual existence as well as mutual cooperation with all groups of society."