Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 03 2009:
UNION HOME Minister P Chidambaram today asked the Chief Minister of Manipur and other top security officials of the state to come down heavily on extortions being carried out by various anti social elements.
The Union Home Minister, however, failed to give any comment regarding the recent issue of the standoff between the NSCN (I-M) and 17 Assam Rifles at Shirui village in Ukhrul district.
During his brief visit to the state today, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram called on the Chief Minister and the Governor of Manipur and reviewed the situation of the state.
The Union Home Minister landed at Imphal airport around 9:00 am by a special Indigo airlines and left for Nagaland later in the afternoon at about 2 pm by a chopper.
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Briefing media persons before his departure at the Imphal Tulihal airport the Home Minister revealed that he met with the 'unified command group' with the Chief Minister on the chair and reviewed the situation of 'the hills, foot hills and the plains' of the state.
Further, the Union Home Minister revealed that besides being briefed of the steps taken by the state government, the Government of Manipur also has requested for additional security set up of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and para military forces.
Meanwhile, taking a tough stand against militancy in the state, the Union Home Minister stated that as far as militancy was concerned, the Centre and the state government have a clear policy not to tolerate any violence incurred by the militants.
Further, sending a probable warning to the militants, the Union Home Minister asserted that the militants must know that violence does not pay and will not pay.
Further, turning his attention to the rampant cases of extortion in the state, the Minister asserted that extorting from their own people and developmental funds meant for infrastructures, roads, schools and hospitals, etc was a loss of the state as well as a hindrance in developmental works.
"I have told the Chief Minister and the security officials that they must come down heavily on extortions," said theUnion Home Minister and revealed that the Unlawful Activities Prevention (UAP) Act has been amended to tackle any individual or organization including those funding the militants.
While maintaining that the security has been doing tremendous jobs against the militancy activities, the Union Home Minister asserted that firmer and stronger action will bring the state into a right trend.