Former MP plans fast unto death agitation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 02 2012:
Former member of Parliament (MP) of Rajya Sabha BD Behring has threatened to launch fast unto death agitation in case offices of Engineering departments, SDO/BDO and SDC are not brought back to its previous locations in the hill districts.
Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, Behring informed that memorandums highlighting inconveniences faced by the hill district people due to relocation of engineering department offices at Imphal areas and near-defunct offices of SDO/BDO and SDC due to absence of staff have been submitted to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Governor Gurbachan Jagat on March 23.The SDO/BDO and SDC offices have been reduced to mere structural existence as most of the employees work from their respective homes rather than attend office and serve the general public, he explained.
Conveying that reminders of his memorandum were again placed before the CM and Governor on April 11, Behring also informed that he called on the former on April 13.The Chief Minister reportedly urged the former MP to delay his agitation plan with the assurance that development of office infrastructure in Chandel district under Special Plan Assistance of the Central Government is being processed.
Moreover, the CM assured to take up developmental programmes in the district after expansion of the Congress Government and subsequent discussion on various issues in the State Cabinet, he said.
Behring also confided that he had prevailed upon the CM to effect posting of officials/employees to hill district offices where staff quarters are available and office buildings do not require repairing/renovation.
He also claimed to have received official intimation on April 30 from the Principal Secretaries of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and Hills and Tribal Development about transfer/posting of officials/employees at their respective places, with an appeal to withdraw his proposed fast unto death movement.
Insisting that there should be positive development to restore administration in the hill districts within two months time, Behring affirmed that he would go ahead with the agitation in case there is no visible sign of development within the stipulated period.
As resorting to bandh or strike would only imperil the general public, particularly the daily wage earners, decision to undertake fast unto death agitation was taken to ensure justice to the common people, he added.