Assassinations would not serve any purpose: Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2014: Chief Min-ister O Ibobi has categorically stated that assassination of political leaders and murder of innocent civilians by NSCN-IM despite being under a peace process with the Government of India would not solve any problem.

Internecine killings would not bring anything positive.

The Government has tolerated to its maximum limits.

Now it is a must for the Government to contain their activities in a befitting manner, Ibobi stated while discussing the Governor's address in the State Assembly today.

Systematic abduction and killing of people is seen nowhere, and the Government would no longer remain a spectator to such systematic killings.

It would be in the best interest of all for all conflicting parties to sit together and thrash out all their differences and disagreements through peaceful dialogue, Ibobi asserted.

Later in the evening, the Chief Minister convened a special meeting and deliberated on the situation unfol- ding in Ukhrul town.

A road being blocked at Ukhrul town in protest against large scale deployment of security forces

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gai-khangam, Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, RD&PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa, the DGP, Principal Secretary (Home), IGP-I and IGP-II .

The meeting made a review of the prevailing situa- tion at Ukhrul town and decided to instruct all the police and IRB personnel deployed in the town to avoid causing any sort of inconvenience to the public.

The meeting further decided to review the situation of Ukhrul town on daily basis.

Reacting to the Governor's address given on February 24 this year, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that there is no let up in bomb explosions and grenade attacks related with monetary demands even though the Governor's address, on the contrary, claimed that law and order situation has improved.

The Governor's address did not reflect any Government policy to check all such disruptive and violent activities, Ibohalbi pointed out.

The Governor's address is generally considered as the Government's policies and programmes.

Saying that they have heard people talking about virtual absence of opposition parties in the State, Ibohalbi maintained that opposition parties' role is not restricted to criticising the Government in public domain.

Raising cut motions and offering suggestion to amend the Governor's address after pointing out the flaws and lapses are all major roles of opposition parties.

Stating that NSCN-IM, in spite of being under peace talk with the Government of India has been indulging extortion, abduction and killing, Ibohalbi asked who is monitoring all such unlawful activities including the murder and burial of fellow cadres by UG groups under SoO pact.

All these critical points did not find any space in the Governor's address.

In tandem with the rise of drug abuse rate, number of drug abuse related crimes has also been soaring.

There is a growing need to amend the State AIDS policy so that the same policy incorporates treatment of Hepatitis C. There is no power management policy in PHED and nominal devolution of powers to Gram Panchayats would not serve any purpose, Ibohalbi asserted.

Pointing out that Manipur's territory was reduced to 22,327 sq Kms in 1951 from 22,437 sq Kms in 1901, the opposition MLA lamented that the Governor's address did not mention anything about the missing border pillars nor did it say anything about youth policy.

MLA Samuel Risom said that the Government of India has already sanctioned necessary fund for establishment of a Government Polytechnic at Ukhrul but no construction work could be seen till date.

He went on to question where has the Government put the sanctioned money.

Taking part in the discussion, Chief Minister O Ibobi maintained that people are now fully aware of the objectives of planting bombs and hurling grenades in civilian populated areas of the valley districts.

He also pledged to work on amending the State AIDS Control Policy so that it can effectively control both AIDS and Hepatitis C.Saying that the Government is working to publish administrative report of MDS, Ibobi informed the House that Phase I of Imphal Sewerage Project is almost complete.

The Government is also working to ensure that no agricultural land is diverted without the Government's permission and also to preserve wetlands, Ibobi stated.

Both ADC Chairmen as well as Vice Chairmen are being given vehicles by the Government whole the Executive Members are provided travel allowance.

The Government is working to devolve greater administrative and financial powers above the status guaranteed by the Sixth Schedule.

Zilla Parishad Adhyakshas have been provided vehicles and it is being considered actively to empower local bodies as per the guidelines of schemes entrusted to local bodies .

Regarding boundary issues, Ibobi stated that inter-State boundary disputes can be resolved through dialogue.

As for the Indo-Myanmar border row, the border fencing work has been stalled and a border survey is currently underway.

He further pledged to work on formulating a youth policy.

There is no question of diverting money sanctioned for establishment of Government Polytechnic at Ukhrul.

MLA T Mangibabu and Y Surchandra also addressed the House hailing the Governor's address.