Creation of Jiribam district NSCN (IM) against bifurcating Tamenglong district
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11, 2013:
Bifurcating Tamenglong district to create new districts will be opposed tooth and nail, said an NSCN-IM leader today.
Talking to NNN this evening, L Golmei, who is incharge 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 to a full-fledged district.
The NSCN-IM leader further warned that anyone recommending or assisting the creation of Jiribam district by carving out certain parts of Tamenglong district will be sternly dealth with.
"We will not tolerate such activities," asserted L Golmei.
Today's warning came a few days after Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had assured the Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) that the State Cabinet would take a 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 the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the State Government and the Committee.
The meeting had deliberated on granting full-fledged revenue district status on Jiribam, according to JDDC convenor Mutum Meipaksana who had informed the 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 seperate district.
Jiribam is a sub-division of Imphal East district located on the Manipur-Assam border.
Meanwhile, NSCN-IM leader L Golmei said since Tamenglong is the most backward district in Manipur, the authorities concerned should focus more on addressing the problems instead of creating problems by dividing the existing district.
While pointing out alleged misutilisation of development funds meant for Tamenglong district, L Golmei said, "It is very unfortunate to learn that the funds implemented 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 added by alleging," 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 wwere have not borne any result".
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