CM negates exclusive domain idea over land
Manipur is for all : Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 26 2011: No community has the right to claim Manipur as their exclusive domain nor any part of its territory can be reserved for any group, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

Ibobi was speaking at a public function after inaugurating Yairipok Tampha Keithel, Community Health Centre and an RCC bridge built over Thoubal river between Imphal East district and Thoubal district today.

Besides Chief Minister O Ibobi, Works Minister K Ranjit, Health Minister L Jayantakumar and MLA K Meghachandra attended the public function as presidium members.

Pointing out that Manipur is a State of the Indian Union which is inhabited by different communities, Ibobi lambasted the claims made by different communities over different parts of the State's territory as their domains.

"No community can claim ownership over the State's territory.

Moreover, the plots and homesteads occupied by the people cannot be claimed as theirs.

The whole territory belongs to the Government.

That is why, people are paying land revenue to the Government", stated the Chief Minister.

The bridge over Thoubal river inaugurated on Oct 26

Reacting to Opposition parties' tirade against the Government, Ibobi maintained that the Opposition parties would be able to do nothing different or better if they are called upon to solve the issues plaguing the State.

Nevertheless, the Government has been working relentlessly to resolve all the outstanding issues for there must be a solution if there is a problem, stated the Chief Minister.

Talking about development, Ibobi said the SPF Government has been working for equitable development of both the hills and valley for the last 10 years.

Under this policy of equitable development, the Government has been implementing several programmes in remote areas of hill districts such as electrification of un-electrified villages, development of transport and communication infrastructure, construction of mini secretariats and hospitals at district headquarters, opening of PHCs and CHCs and development of education infrastructure.

Apart from taking up several policies and programmes for welfare of minorities, the State Cabinet has given its consent to upgrade Lilong and Kwakta Nagar Panchayats into Municipal Councils.

Addressing the gathering, Works Minister K Ranjit claimed that people are witness to the numerous development programmes being implemented by the Congress-led SPF Government.

Moreover, the it was the SPF Government which repealed AFSPA from seven Assembly segments after taking into the sustained popular movement against the Act.

He also called upon the people to elect Congress candidates in the forthcoming elections so as to ensure presence of a stable Government in the State.