Biren asks Rajnath not to overstep State Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2018: Chief Minister NBiren has categorically asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh not to overstep the State Government while working out a solution to the protracted political dialogue going on between the Government of India and NSCN-IM today.

The same point was also highlighted to B JP president Amit Shah during a separate meeting.

The Chief Minister separately met Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah at Delhi today.

Rajya Sabha MP K Bhabananda was also present at both the meetings.

Biren asks Rajnath not to overstep State Govt

Chief Minister N Biren informed The Sangai Express that the State Government's position on the Framework Agreement and any solution to the Naga issue was apprised to the Union Home Minister and the BJP president.

Sometime back, a joint delegation of key civil society organisations of Manipur camped at Delhi, met several leaders of the Government of India including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted the State's stand on the Framework Agreement and any solution based on it.

Against the State Government's proposal to set up four IRB battalions to protect National Highways, the Union Cabinet has already approved two IRB battalions.

Pointing out that Mao-Imphal, Jiribam-Imphal and Imphal-Moreh highways are very long and the State Government has been spending huge amount in engaging Central forces to provide security on these highways, the Chief Minister insisted on setting up four IRB battalions during his meeting with the Union Home Minister.

The Union Cabinet has also approved the surrender cum rehabilitation policy formulated by the State Government anew.

Under this policy, monthly stipends given to surrendered militants would be hiked from Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 .

The case of Pravish Chanam who was killed at Noida, UP also figured during the meeting and Biren urged Rajnath Singh to persuade the UP Government to hand over the case to an independent investigating agency.

Highlighting that the Manipur Civil Secretariat would soon be shifted to Marrtripukhri and Imphal city would fie expanded towards the North, the Chief Minister further sought assistance of the Union "Home Minister in shifting the army camp currently located at Koirengei.

Biren also discussed the next Lok Sabha election with Amit Shah and sought the latter's help in clearing proposals sent by the State Government which are currently pending at different ministries.

Informing that there is no landing slot at Delhi airport even though Air Asia is willing to introduce direct flight between Imphal and Delhi, N Biren sought the BJP president's intervention so that Imphal-Delhi direct flight gets its slot at Delhi airport.

The Chief Minister further conveyed that he invited Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to attend a grand function which would be held at Imphal on March 15 in commemoration of the first anniversary of the BJP-led coalition Government and Rajnath gave a hint of his willingness to attend the function.