Imphal, July 14: Strongly differing with the view points of Dr Nimaichand Luwang who said that militants who are invited to come forward and surrender are being killed at random.

Chief Minister O Ibobi today informed the Assembly that the Government is providing adequate security to the former militants.

Moving a call attention motion, Dr Nimaichand Luwang drew the attention of the House to the plight of surrendered militants and observed that they arc not being given their due.

Replying to the motion raised by the Opposition MLA, the Chief Minister said that two surrendered UGs were found dead inside the campus of DM College of Commerce on June 19 after they were abducted on June 18.Ibobi said that it would be in the fitness of things if investigations are first initiated, to find out how the two went outside without due permission.

Elaborating, the Chief Minister explained that all surrendered militants are kept under surveillance because of the threat that their former comrade in arms might pose.

Moreover they are not allowed to move without security and all the surrendered militants were strictly instructed not to move.

without security or permission.

Even their family members were informed that the surrendered militants cannot move about freely and in case of absolute necessity, they were told to get the due permission and move out only with security.

Referring to a point raised by Nimaichand Luwang, the Chief Minister assured that if the two deceased militants are to be paid for any arms surrendered then the matter would be studied and the payment made.

To a question whether ex-gratia would be paid to the next of kins of the two deceased former militants, the Chief Minister replied that there is no rule which says that ex-gratia should be paid for all deaths.

However he assured that the Government will look into the matter to find out if ex-gratia can be paid or not.

SC/ST boys hostel: Replying to a call attention motion raised by Opposition MLA BD Behring, Tribal Development Minister Ngamthang Haokip today said that not all the hostellers of the SC/ST Boys Hostel located at the Adimjati Ashram would be evacuated at one go.

Moving the motion, BD Behring recalled that there was a SC/ST Boys and Girls Hostel at the place where GP Women's College today stands.

Later the girls' hostel was shifted to the DM College campus while the boys' hostel was moved to Khuman Lampak.

Again the boys hostel was 'moved to Adimjati Ashram complex, said the MLA and added that it would be wrong to evacuate the hostellers from the hostel now.

Clarifying on a number of points, Ngamthang Haokip said that though the hostel is located at the Adimjati complex it does not mean that the hostel would be handed over to them.

It is just that they will look after the hostel, he added.

There is no question of evacuating all the students from the hostel, the Minister further clarified.

Singjamei Bridge: Reacting to a point raised by Singjamei AC MLA Irengbam Hemo-chandra who pointed out the need to replace the old bridge that leads from Singjamei bazar to Kongba, Works Minister Gaikhangam informed that House that a tender was floated for building a new bridge but as the contractor never started the work, the work order has been cancelled.

The Minister said that for the purpose of constructing a new bridge, a tender notice was issued on July 5 this year.

Gaikhangam further said that his Department has set September as the target to start the construction work while a two year period target has been set to finish the same.

To further queries, the Minister replied that previously a sum of Rs 150 lakh was earmarked for the bridge but as the traffic flow is heavy the Govt has decided to make the bridge bigger and the new estimate may be fixed at Rs 3 crores.

Efforts are on to draw the amount from the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources, added the Minister.

BPL/AAY rice: Taking part in the question and answer session.

Wangkhei AC MLA Y Eral-Jot today said that in many cases, the names of salaried people, pensioners and well to do families have been included in the BPL/AAY beneficiary list while in some cases the names of those really in need of such aid are missing.