Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10:
Agitated at the CM's inability to give a definite stand of the Cabinet with regard to the removal of the Disturbed Area Act from the State, irate Congress legislators today prevented Chief Minister O Ibobi from leaving for New Delhi today.
Mention may be made here that Chief Minister O Ibobi had earlier announced that his Govt would announce its final stand with regard to the removal of Disturbed Area Act from the State before August 15.On the basis of the assurance made by the CM, two Ministers and six MLAs had also threatened to resign from their respective posts if the Govt fails to lift the DAA within the time frame given by the CM.
Chief Minister O Ibobi who was to leave for New Delhi today along with Minister Th Debendra had to call an emergency meeting following strong demands from the SPF legislators for a Cabinet decision regarding lifting of the Act from the State.
However, the members present at the Cabinet meeting could not take any decision as Special Secretary (Cabinet) P Bhorot was found missing and could not be found anywhere nearby even though the search for the Special Secretary carried on till 4.15 pm.
Meanwhile, the CM who was waiting to catch a 4.30 pm Kolkata flight after failing to hold the Cabinet meeting had to be called back and forced to cancel his Delhi trip as the Cabinet Ministers were able to make contact with Special Secretary (Cabinet) P Bhorot at around 4.30 pm.
Following the cancellation of the Chief Minister's trip, Minister Th Debendra was also forced cancel his trip.
It may be noted here that Th Debendra was summoned to New Delhi by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
Though no efforts are being made by the Chief Minister O Ibobi to take a definite Cabinet decision in the face of the Central leaders flatly refusing to lift the Disturbed Area Act from the State, pressure is mounting on the Chief Minister from the two Ministers and six MLAs everyday for a Cabinet's decision on the sensitive issue.