'IM' opposes bifurcation of Tml for any new districts
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 11, 2013:
Bifurcating of Tamenglong district to create new districts will be opposed tooth and nail, says an NSCN-IM leader today.
Talking to NNN this evening, L Golmei, who is in-charge of the 'home affairs' of the outfit of the 'Zeliangrong Region' (deputy kilonser of Kilo affairs) warned that no one should ever harbour a thought to touch Tamenglong district to upgrade Jiribam sub-division into a full-fledged district.
The NSCN-IM leader further warned that anyone recommending or assisting for the creation of Jiribam district by carving out certain parts of Tamenglong district will be sternly dealt with.
"We will not tolerate on such activity," asserted L Golmei.
Today's NSCN-IM leader's warning came few days after Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had assured the Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) that the state Cabinet would take decision soon on making the Barak circle a separate sub-division but rejected the key demand of the Committee saying it was not the right time to declare Jiribam as a full-fledged revenue district considering the present state of affairs in the state.
Representatives of JDDC had met the Chief Minister at his office on August 7 and discussed about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state Government and the Committee.
That meeting had deliberated on granting of Jiribam the status of a full-fledged revenue district, JDDC convenor Mutum Meipaksana had informed media that day.
JDDC and the state Government had signed an 11-point MoU on November 9, 2011.One of the key demands mentioned in the MoU is to declare Jiribam as a separate district.
Jiribam is a sub-division of Imphal East district located in the Manipur-Assam border.
Meanwhile, NSCN-IM leader L Golmei said since Tamenglong is the most backward district in Manipur, the concerned authorities should focus more on addressing the problems instead of creating problems by making divisions of the existing district.
While pointing out alleged mis-utilisation of development funds meant for Tamenglong district, L Golmei said, "It is very unfortunate to learn that the funds provided especially for Tamenglong district by the government of Manipur for the year 2012-2013 under various projects such as BRGF amounting to Rs 10 crores, MSDP-Rs 27 crores and few lakhs could not be utilised due to non-issuing of utilisation certificates on time".
The NSCN-IM leader then alleged," Those money had been diverted and misutilised by certain unscrupulous and vested interest individuals and organisations".
L Golmei further pointed out that funds under MDS (Manipur Development Society) amounting to Rs 100 crores meant for the districts of Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Churachandpur have not been released by the Director of MDS till date and "even repeated persuasions and requests to by concerned parties have not borne any result".