CM inspects ongoing projects in capital
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 04: Leading a team of Ministers, MLAs and relevant officers, Chief Minister O Ibobi made an inspection tour of Sericulture Project at Sangaipat, the High Court complex at Chingmeirong and construction work of the New Market and Laxmi Market.

Even though construction of Sericulture Project office was slated for completion during the current month, the Chief Minister was visibly peeved on observing the lack of work progress.

The Sericulture Project is being taken up under the sponsorship of the Japan Bank of International Cooperation. br>

It is reported that work progress of the Sericulture Project retarded after some labourers left the work site in the wake of the killing of migrant workers recently.

The Chief Minister also issued strict instruction to the officials concerned to complete the office construction work by May.

Appreciating the commendable progress made in the construction of Laxmi Market and New Market at Khwairamband Bazar, the Chief Minister claimed that construction works of the two market complexes have been completed by 90 percent.

He vowed that the market complexes will be inaugurated and handed over to the public by May at the latest.

Ibobi assured that development work of Ima Keithel will be initiated shortly.

The NBCC which is largely responsible for the construction of market complexes at Khwairamband Bazar explained that the completion deadline set earlier for Laxmi Market and New Market could not be met due to shortage of manpower and also because of their design which are new ones.

At his final stop of the inspection tour, the Chief Minister inspected the expansion and development work of Maharani bridge entrusted to the State PWD.

Utamkumar was guilty, says CM : L Utamkumar was guilty.

He was shot dead when he was coming back after collecting money as he refused to pay heed to the call to halt, said Chief Minister O Ibobi to the JAC constituted in connection with the killing of Utamkumar by commandos.

On the other hand, infuriated by the statement of the Chief Minister, the JAC has geared up to launch more intense protest movements.

Longjam Utamkumar of Keishamthong Longjam Leirak was shot dead by police commandos in civies at his own home in the afternoon of March 29 .

Speaking to reporters this evening, JAC member B Sanamacha conveyed that during the second meeting with the Chief Minister yesterday, the JAC put up its earlier demands.

During their first meeting on March 30, the JAC submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

In addition to the demands for suspending the commandos involved in the killing within 72 hours, institution of Judicial Enquiry and to produce ample evidences to prove that Utamkumar was guilty, it also contained accounts of the incident as narrated by the father, mother and uncle of Utamkumar.

"Just convey that Utamkumar was shot as he was guilty" said the Chief Minister to the JAC, disclosed Sanamacha.

The meeting was also attended by nine Cabinet Ministers, the Chief Secretary and the DGP.

Sports Minister N Biren told the JAC members that Utamkumar was shot for not heeding to the call of the commandos to halt, conveyed RK Khelen, another member of the JAC.

Following increased extortion activities in Imphal area, commandos in civies have been deployed, Agriculture Minister N Loken said during the meeting.

Stating that none of the responses and explanation given by the Government is convincing or satisfactory, the JAC questioned as to what circumstances compelled the commandos to kill Utamkumar in broad day light in his own residential complex from where the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been lifted.

JAC member N Ramesh asked the Chief Minister to identify the UG group to which Utamkumar was linked and the locations from where Utamkumar allegedly collected money.

Quoting the statements of the Chief Minister that law and order situation has become highly volatile in the State, Ramesh asked the Chief Minister whether he (O Ibobi) believes that the law and order situation can be improved by allowing indiscriminate killings.