Imphal: Fulfilling a long pending Manipuri demand for transfer of the historic Kangla Fort that was till recently the headquarters of Assam Rifles, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Nov 20, 2004) said violence must be shunned as progress and development could be advanced only if peace and order prevailed.

"We must today resolve to eschew all violent methods of settling grievances and join the Constitutional process to find effective solutions," he told a big rally in Imphal after the Fort was formally handed over to Manipur Chief Minster Ibobi Singh by Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Bhupinder Singh.

The demand for the handing over of the Fort gained momentum after the recent controversy over the alleged rape and killing of a woman by Assam Rifles personnel that sparked off violent agitation in the State. There was also a demand for withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

"When Constitutional and other legal methods are available to redress our grievances, it is not proper to resort to arms to register protest against the Government as we are willing to seek remedies to the problems through meaningful negotiations," Singh said.

He appealed to all sections of the Manipuri society to engage themselves in the task of nation building saying "progress and development of Manipur will be advanced if peace and order prevails."