Five police stations inaugurated
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 08 2015 :
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam inaugurated the newly constructed buildings of four police stations in Thoubal district and one in Imphal East today morning.
The police stations, which have got new office buildings are Pallel, Heirok, Nongpok Sekmai and Yairipok in Thoubal district and Andro police station in Imphal East district.
IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Education Minister M Okendro, Tengnoupal MLA DK Korungthang, Kakching MLA Y Surchandra, Parliamentary Secretary (IPR) K Meghachandra, DGP Shahid Ahmad, Thoubal DC T Ranjit, and other high ranking police officers were present at the inaugural functions.
The VIP team inspected all the rooms of the newly inaugurated buildings including IO rooms and lock-ups.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration function, Gaikhangam said that as per the instruction of the Central Government, police modernization scheme had been discontinued in the State two months back.
He said that inauguration of five police stations in a single day is a great achievement of the State Government led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.
He further said that new buildings of another 10 police stations would be inaugurated in Imphal East, Bishnupur and Imphal west districts by the end of this month.
Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that the rate of anti-social and anti-National activities have come down to a great extent with the opening of new police out-posts at strategic areas.
He further claimed that number of insurgency related incidents in Imphal areas has also decreased considerably in the past five years.
Saying that the Home Department considers Nongpok Sekmai as a strategic place to check movement of armed insurgents, Gaikhangam said that opening of a police station at the village would enable the villagers to live in peace.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that construction of new buildings and development of infrastructure were taken up under the police modernization scheme with funds from the 13th Finance Commission.
He further said that the State Government would set up police stations at Sadar Hills and other parts of Senapati district and some at Moirang side near Loktak lake as well.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the Government has provided all the necessary infrastructure and equipment to the police stations, which were inaugurated today.
Responding to a query regarding police modernization in the hill areas, Gaikhangam said that although there are still lots of things to be taken up, the Centre had discontinued the police modernization scheme two months back.
He said that the State Government is however putting in efforts to upgrade the police stations of hill areas adding that each police station needs around 60-70 personnel.
Regarding the recent visit of Central Government officials to the State, Gaikhangam said that the Centre is assessing the possibilities of introducing border police in the State.
Whatever it may be, the Central Government must not take up any step which may hurt the sentiments of the people of the State, he added.
Regarding imposition of ban on Catholic schools, Gaikhangam condemned the ban saying that clamping prohibition on schools is a narrow minded and selfish act and this must be stopped at once before public raise their voice against the organisation concerned.
He also appealed to the organisation concerned to allow the schools to function without any disturbances.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the State Government will provide security to these schools if needed.