Imphal, September 07: The state Rajya Sabha MP, W Angou Singh, has demanded that the Centre must pay adequate compensation to the state for all the loss and damage to life and property resulting from the decision to extend the ceasefire with the NSCN (IM) without territorial limits.

Addressing media persons at his residence today, he reiterated the Centre, by taking the ceasefire extension decision without consulting the people of the affected states, was wholly responsible for the deaths, suffering and destruction that occurred during the anti-ceasefire agitation.

He also disclosed that when he questioned the Union Home Minister LK Advani on the matter of payment of compensation, the latter informed that the valuation of the damage suffered has still not been prepared.

Advani also informed that the state PWD was compiling a report in this regard.

Angou, referring to the stalled Diphu-to-Karong railway line project, said the Centre was unlikely to ever take up the project.

He observed that the people of the area likely to be affected by the project were raising objections, and the Centre had not allocated adequate funds.

Stating that it would be better to lay a railway line along the Jiribam-Imphal route, he said he would pressurize the Centre in this regard.

He observed that several things which he had been pressurizing the Centre while serving as MP had materialized, including the creation of a separate ministry for the north east, the institution of the Sukhla commission, and the Centre’s decision to set aside 10% of funds allocated to each department of the Central government for purpose of infrastructure creation in the north east.

Referring to reports that the government of India will now take over the 50% pro rata contribution made by state governments for medical seats in the RIMS, he said this was one of the issues on which he had exercised pressure on the Centre.

He added that consequent to the new arrangement, 15% of seats at RIMS would have to be set aside as the Centre government’s quota.

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