MDA seeks designated site for public protest
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 28 2021: Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) chairman Bijoy Koijam has stressed the need for designating a site for peaceful public protest while upholding the directive of the High Court in this regard.

Addressing a press meet on Saturday, Bijoy Koijam said that setting aside a designated protest site like that in Delhi has become a necessity in a democratic society so that the public could be provided a safe and proper place for exercising their democratic rights of freedom of expression.

The high court had also given a directive on the same to the government earlier.

Chief minister N Biren, who was an editor before joining politics, is well versed about public sentiment and MDA strongly believes that the government will translate the HC directive into action.

He also stressed the need for deploying Border Security Force (BSF) in place of forces like Assam Rifles since BSF was established specifically to guard the borders.

Border issues crop up in the absence of professional forces like BSF.

AR is more efficient in counter insurgency and not in guarding border.

MDA had brought up the matter to the chief minister.

A field visit at Border Pillar No 81 and surrounding area will reveal how committed the state and central governments are in safeguarding the boundary of the state, he said.

The former MLA also stressed the need for improving the two main lifelines of the state, NH 37 and NH 2 .

Widening the NH 37 into six lanes could prove beneficial and provide trouble-free movement.

MDA wants the state government to widen all state highways into four lanes and all national highways into six-lane highways, he said.

Regarding the forthcoming state assembly election, the ex-MLA said that MDA is planning to field its candidates in 30 to 40 assembly constituencies and alliance partners have understandings to field only one candidate per assembly constituency.

The alliance will support the largest party to form the next government, he added.

MDA convener M Tombi congratulated Ph Jilasana on being elected as working president of the alliance.

He declared Thangjam Shyam Singh as MDA candidate in Khundrakpam AC for the 2022 assembly election.

Speaking on the occasion, Tombi informed that MDA brought up the issue of border pillar no 81 and hoisted Salai Taret flag at the original site of BP no 81 .

There are fresh reports of constructing border pillar, he said and urged the government to erect border fencing while upholding the original boundary failing which MDA will not remain as a mute spectator.

The alliance will submit a memorandum in this regard to the Survey of India.

He also urged the government to designate a public protest site and to stop politicisation in giving permit for organising protest by DCs.

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