Bill to check highway blockades in the pipeline : Basantakumar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2024: A robust Bill to secure and protect National Highways from bandhs, blockades and all kinds of disturbances is in the pipeline, said Law and Legislative Affairs Minister, Th Basanta Kumar today.

The Bill has been drafted and it will be introduced in the Assembly soon.

It has provisions for immediate non-bailable arrest of people who impose bandh or blockade on the Highways, he said.

The Minister was speaking at a media sensitisation programme on school education held at Manipur Press Club, Imphal when he made the announcement.

The programme was held as a part of the Press Club's and AMWJU's Golden Jubilee celebration.

Bill to check highway blockades in the pipeline : Basantakumar

In addition to the charge of Law and Legislative Affairs, Th Basanta Kumar is also holding the post of Education Minister.

Speaking to journalists, Th Basanta Kumar said when National Highways are supposed to be free from all kinds of disturbances, the routes that run through Manipur are often affected by bandhs and blockades.

Very often, people and organisations impose blockades on the National Highways hindering flow of commodities including essential items, he said.

When there are laws that prohibit disturbances on Nationals Highways in other States, Manipur needs a law that would do the same, he added.

To secure and protect the Highways from bandhs and blockades, Th Basanta Kumar said a Bill has been drafted and this would be discussed soon in the Assembly.

The Bill has provision for non-bailable arrest of persons who impose bandh on the Highways, he said.

On the ongoing violent conflict, the Minister said the Government understands the position of the village volunteers and how they become "volunteers" .

They had been forced by circumstances to volunteer themselves and guard their villages.

The Government understands them, and discussions are on to make them perform their duties "legally", Basanta Kumar said.

The Minister, however, stressed that among the people who genuinely volunteered to defend villages, there are some "criminal elements" who are involved in rampant extortion activities, and the Government takes this very seriously.

To resolve the crisis, he said, "We must think about Manipur as a whole including all the communities.

We must be noble and show generosity.

Meiteis have always been generous" .

The traditional dance of the Meiteis which is famous worldwide is not called "Meitei Jagoi" (dance) but "Manipuri Jagoi".

"Our language" is also called Manipuri language.

In any circumstances, Manipur must not break apart.

Her integrity must be protected and promoted, Basanta Kumar said.

On school education, the Minister said many schools are lacking required infrastructure and teaching staff.

There are around 4000 institutions.

These issues can't be resolved immediately.

The Government has even introduced School Phagathansi Mission.

Serious efforts are being taken up to improve the conditions of the schools, he said.

He further stated that no students from the valley dropped out of school because of the conflict.

Notably, the Central Education Ministry in August had informed the Parliament that five students had dropped out of school due to conflict in Manipur but none of them are from the valley.

Talking about teacher recruitment, Basanta Kumar alleged that a majority of the teachers are not performing their duties well and this has hindered imparting education to students.

Only around 20 percent of the teachers are genuinely taking their job seriously and imparting education to the students, he claimed.

When the remaining 80 percent take their job seriously, the education sector would improve and bring about a significant change, he added.

Education Commissioner H Gyan Prakash, Education (S) Director L Nandakumar and EGM president Khogendra Khomdram attended the media sensitisation programme.