State and Centre assessing AFSPA: CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, January 05 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that the State and the Central Government are currently assessing the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur.
The Chief Minister made the remark while replying to a query from the media during interaction after the inauguration of two bridges in Heingang AC today.
The Chief Minister's comment comes close on the heels of the Government of Nagaland and Government of Meghalaya raising the demand that the Army Act should be withdrawn from the North East region, following the Oting massacre in Nagaland, where 14 civilians were mowed down by the security forces on December 4 last year.
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The Nagaland Assembly had also passed a resolution that the Army Act should be withdrawn.
Regarding the petition filed against the implementation of ILPS in Manipur, the Chief Minister said that the State Cabinet has resolved to fight it legally at the maximum level.
Inaugurating the two bridges, one constructed over Imphal River at Ngathem Mapa and the other one at Achanbigei Awang Leikai, N Biren Singh said despite the length of Imphal River in Heingang AC being more than 17 kms, there are not enough bridges in the area.
Following the concern and welfare of the public, the bridges have been constructed at strategic locations.
The bridges were constructed by the Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency under the PMGSY scheme.
The bridge at Ngathem Mapa having a length of 64 meters was constructed at a cost of Rs 720.05 lakh while the bridge at Achanbigei Awang Leikai worth Rs 712.23 lakh has a length of 72 meters.
Construction of both the bridges began on March 7, 2019 and completed on Nov 22, 2021 .
Biren further informed that construction of different infrastructure projects, including those whose foundation stones were laid by the Prime Minister, would continue as usual even during the enforcement of Election Model Code of Conduct.
He said that the Govt has also set a target to provide tap water to 80 pc of the total households of the State.