Uniformed and booted, but are you doing your duty, poser to AR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2024: Raising the matter of a huge quantity of newsprint rolls being set afire in Kangpokpi district on Wednesday during zero hour in the State Assembly today, MLA Sapam Nishikant pointed out that security personnel are wearing impressive uniforms and enjoying monthly salary but questioned whether they are dispensing with their duties diligently or not.

He then appealed to all the security personnel to perform their duties with some efficiency.

Citing a report furnished by the driver of the truck, Nishikant said that the truck (AS 25FC 038) was intercepted by some 20-25 suspected members of KNF in front of a gate near Gamgiphai, Motbung at around 2.30 pm on August 7 .

Uniformed and booted, but are you doing your duty, poser to AR

The suspected KNF cadres removed the canvas covering the truck's body before setting the newsprint rolls on fire.

But they took away other materials not related with the media, Nishikant said.

Saying that the protracted violent crisis has victimised the State's media houses, the Keishamthong AC MLA, quoting the driver, told the House that the SP Kangpokpi did not respond when the transporter dialled his telephone number regarding the incident.

He said that the truck took Imphal-Dimapur highway after the Naga Traders' Union assured that no harm would come to transportation to newsprint on the highway.

Pointing out that Central security forces are stationed just North to the Second World War Memorial, Sekmai, the MLA appealed to all security forces to dispense with their duties with some efficiency for they are wearing nice uniforms and enjoying monthly salary.

Nishikant then conveyed gratitude and respect to the Naga Traders' Union for their assurance that there would be no more disturbance to movement on Imphal-Dimapur highway.

Earlier, the Chief Minister went on record to state he engaged with Kuki MLAs and CSOs for talks at Guwahati in order to bring peace in the State.

However, some people have been working tirelessly to derail all peace initiatives.

The attack on the media is also aimed at derailing any peace process, he said.

There were 33 newsprint rolls in the truck hijacked by the suspected KNF cadres.

"On seeing a video clip sent by the AR, it has been learnt that some of the newsprint rolls were not burnt.

Through this august house, I would like to appeal to those arsonists to return those newsprint rolls which have not been burnt", Nishikant said.

The act of burning newsprint has aggrieved and enraged the media fraternity and they are even thinking of a series of agitation.

Nishikant then pointed out that extortion and bandhs have been regular features of Imphal-Dimapur highway and Imphal-Jiribam highway, the two lifelines of Manipur.

Only one of these highways is operational at the moment while the other is literally defunct.

Trucks travelling on Imphal-Jiribam highway suffer severe damages on every trip because they have to be often pushed by JCBs (excavators).

In fact, maintenance cost is higher than the transportation charges earned by these trucks, he said.

Saying that no community should do/speak anything which may provoke or hurt the sentiments of another community, he appealed to all the people to be wary of those elements who have been conspiring to break apart Manipur.

Both the Centre and the State Government must work to enforce rule of law and bring peace in the State.

NRC must be implemented and illegal immigrants must be repatriated with 1961 as the base as decided by the Government.

There must be a roadmap for restoring peace in the State but the integrity of Manipur can never be compromised, Nishikant said.

Mounds of garbage and waste materials are now adorning the roads of Thangmeiband AC.

On enquiry, it has been learnt that the road leading to the Solid Waste Management Plant, Lamdeng is now filled with big potholes and the locals of Lamdeng have blocked the road, MLA Kh Joykisan said during the zero hour.

The particular road needs urgent attention of the Government otherwise Imphal city will be buried under piles of garbage and waste materials, Joykisan said.

Informing that shops located on the road stretch from Khoyathong to the Assembly Secretariat have pulled down shutters on account of monetary demands, he urged the Government to solve the matter at the earliest.