MoS Defence plays down PR 'story'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 03: Even as the possibility of imposing President's Rule in Manipur is looming large, Union MoS for Defence MM Pallam Raju expressed strong reservation against imposing PR in the State.

He stated that PR is not the right option to check the highly volatile and deteriorating law and order situation.

MoS Defence at the inaugural function at Sainik School

Speaking to reporters at Sainik School today, Pallam Raju mooted political dialogues with all insurgent groups rather than imposing Central rule in the State.

" I think PR is not an option and the situation has to be tackled properly", he said.

On being asked, the Union Minister denied any plan to launch operations in Myanmar to crack down on different UG groups of the North East having camps there as was done in Bhutan.

Yet, the army would intensify its operation against militants whenever necessary in the remote areas of the State to ensure that proper functionioning of civil administration, Pallam disclosed.

He informed that he would urge Chief Minister O Ibobi to initiate necessary ground work sincerely so that UG outfits come to the negotiating table for political dialogue.

Taking serious of the alleged violation of rules prescribed in the suspension of operation between the army and Kuki militant groups by the latter, Pallam assured that look into it.

Following slaying of fifteen migrant workers, bomb attack at Manipur Assembly Complex and killing of many persons inlcuding women, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh called on Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar on April 1 evening and discussed the issue threadbare.

It is reported that the Chief Secretary furnished a detail report on the measures taken up by the Govt in the aftermath of the violent incidents.