COPTAM concerned on new police jurisdiction
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, September 11 2013:
Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas (COPTAM) said though it heartily welcomes the policy of the state government in opening new police stations for security and maintenance of law and order in the state, it is very much concern about the recent notification issued by the state government of Manipur in connection with the jurisdiction of the newly created police stations in the state.
"COPTAM is perturbed to learn that several villages in the hill areas have been put under the jurisdiction of valley police stations, which is an encroachment on the administrative boundaries of hill districts and sub-divisions.
This arrangement will certainly create disputes and misunderstanding between valley district police and hill district administrations," COPTAM general secretary Thangkam Lupheng pointed out.
Thangkam Lupheng then claimed that COPTAM has been urging the state government for maintenance of district boundaries so as to avoid overlapping and confusions for for effective administration and governance in the state.
The COPTAM leader then said that the state government seems to be not serious about this issue.
It will create far reaching adverse consequences in the functioning of district administrations, Lupheng added.
"If the state government is keen on opening of new police stations/outposts for maintaining law and order, security in the state, more police Stations should also be opened in hill districts too.Creation of police stations only in valley districts is not a balanced policy.
It is covert policy to encroach the hill areas.
We will not accept this policy any under circumstances," the COPTAM general secretary stated, adding, "Therefore, COPTAM, once again urged the state Government not to distort or disturb the existing original district boundaries in the name of security, law and order.
If problem arises out of the jurisdictions arrangement of the said police stations, the state government shall bear all the responsibilities" .