Bandh prevention Bill tabled
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20 2011:
Taking serious note of the impact of bandhs and blockades which have become chronic in the State, the Manipur Bandh, Blockade and Economic Blockade (Prevention) Bill 2011 was tabled in the State Assembly today.
The Bill was prepared after Opposition MLAs O Joy, Dr I Ibohalbi, Dr Ng Bijoy and RK Anand raised a private member resolution in the State Assembly on July 9, 2010 to enact a law to prevent bandhs and blockades in the State.
After discussing the motion, a seven member House committee was constituted with Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra as chairman to look into the matter.
Earlier, it was stipulated that the committee should submit its report within two months but the committee's tenure was extended four times and the committee held three rounds of meeting.
Th Debendra submitted the committee's report today along with tabling the Bill before the House today at the new Assembly building.
Incidentally, a bandh was going on in the State against the murder of PHED Chowkidar Soram Ibomcha and his son Yaipu by KCP-MTF (Kesho Meitei) when the Bill was tabled in the State Assembly.
According to the Bill, a Session Court would act as special Court to try bandh and blockade sponsors and supporters with due permission of the High Court's Chief Justice once the Bill is transformed into Act.
Any one who violates the Act are punishable and the offence is non-bailable.
Losses suffered due to bandhs, blockades or economic blockades would be recuperated from those who violate the Act.
Members of all organisations including political parties can be prosecuted if they commit criminal office and the losses suffered because of their action can be recuperated from them.
During the Assembly session, Chief Minister O Ibobi tabled the Manipur Lokayukta Bill 2011 and Manipur Loktak Protection (Second Amendment) Bill 2011 .