SoO may be abrogated if forced, declares CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2017: Chief Minister N Biren has categorically stated on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly today that the State Government would withdraw from the Suspension of Operation (SoO) if the armed groups which are parties to the pact violate ground rules and commit excesses .

Even though it was zero hour, MLA K Ranjit urged the Chief Minister to give a statement regarding the brutal killing of a girl by a cadre of KNA in total violation of the SoO ground rules at Gilgal village near Moreh Gate No 1 yesterday .

Fellow Opposition MLA Kh Joykisan pointed out that insertion of MPCC president TN Haokip's picture in a BJP hoarding was highly defamatory and painful.

He then urged the House leader to give a statement on the faux pas .

Joykisan also questioned why the picture of the Speaker of the Assembly was put up in the BJP hoarding as the Speaker is considered to be above party line .

Usually, statements are not given during zero hour.

Nonetheless, considering the gravity of the incidents, the Chief Minister gave statements on the separate incidents .

Biren stated that the Government has received a report about a KNA cadre shooting a girl student dead at Moreh .

Apart from the Moreh incident, the State Government took up stringent actions after a combined team of army and police apprehended armed cadres of a SoO group for keeping some people hostage at Kangpokpi
The State Government has also intimated the Central Government to initiate befitting action if SoO groups continue to violate SoO ground rules and commit such excesses, Biren stated .

The State Government has also informed the Centre that it would withdraw from SoO pact if the parties concerned do not abide by the ground rules.

In response, the Central Government asked the State Government whether the SoO pact should be abrogated or not, the Chief Minister informed the House .

Regarding insertion of MPCC president TN Haokip's picture in a BJP hoarding, Biren said that the hoardings were printed/erected by Sharma Enterprises, Wangkhei .

In addition to initiating strict action for committing such a faux pas, BJP has cancelled all contracts given to Sharma Enterprises .

While clarifying that it was a genuine mistake, the Chief Minister appealed to all concerned not to project BJP in wrong light for the particular mistake .

MLA N Loken informed the House that students of Nambol Higher Secondary School have been robbed of their regular classes after 10 teachers of the school who have not been allotted MGEL numbers launched a protest agitation .

Notably, Nambol Higher Secondary School has 21 teachers in total.

Loken urged the Government to take up necessary steps so that the teachers call off their strike and regular classes are resumed at the earliest .

Citing media reports that 24X7 health care services provided at Yairipok CHC may be suspended as only two doctors are available there, MLA K Meghachandra urged the Government to take up necessary measures so that the CHC continues to provide health care services round the clock.

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