Imphal, January 28 2009: THE STATE Cabinet today took some significant decisions including turning the Department of Power into a Corporation.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi also decided to promote world boxing champions Mary Kom and Sarita to the post of Inspector of Police.

The Cabinet reviewed the law and order situation in the wake of the standoff between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) at Siroy in Ukhrul district.

The meeting also discussed the relay hunger strike which has entered the 50th day today, launched by the Sharmila Kanba Lup to demand lifting of AFSPA from the state.

The Cabinet meeting discussed and approved the proposals tabled by the state Home Department regarding matters relating to the police department and law and order situation.

An official source said that the Cabinet meeting which commenced from around 4 pm this evening also decided to initiate work in connection with the Thermal Power Plant.

The Special Police Officers (SPOs) will be renamed as Village Defence Force (VDF).

Legal action will be taken up against the five principals and a lecturer of government higher secondary schools.

The Cabinet approved of extending the term of the Special Resident Commissioner, Manipur Bhavan, New Delhi.

The cabinet reviewed the law and order situation in the state in the wake of the standoff between the NSCN(IM) and the troops of Assam Rifles at Siroy over the camp of the NSCN (IM) cadres holding arms, ammunition and explosives at Siroy village.

The tension at Siroy, mention may be made here, has been hightened up as both the NCSN(IM) and the Assam Rifles stuck to each other's stand since the last weekend.

The deployment of security for the expansion of Tulihal Airport was also discussed, the source said.

It may be recalled that S Nayak, DIG, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Airport (east and north east) Kolkata had recently inspected and reviewed the security arrangement at the Imphal Airport on January 23 and 24 amidst protest by the residents in the surrounding areas of the airport against land acquisition for the expansion and extension of the airport.

After reviewing the law and order situation of the state, the Cabinet reportedly took a decision to direct the district police and police stations concerned to keep alert to face any eventuality arising out of it. Another agenda relating to the promotion of world women boxing champion, Mary Kom and Sarita was discussed and passed.

At prenet both the champions are employed as Sub-Inspectors.

The Cabinet felt that the non participation of the five principals and one lecturer in the Republic Day celebrations amounted to indirectly supporting the undergrounds.

Manipur government�s proposal for recruitment of 1350 SPOs for deployment in the 45 police stations across the valley districts with 30 each in each police station had already been approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs with the condition that the deployment should be of a period of one year and till the filling up of the regular vacancies in the police stations.

Extension of term of AP Sharma, Special Resident Commissioner of Manipur Bhavan, New Delhi for six months effective from January 1, 2009 was also approved by the cabinet today, the source added.

Comment