Imphal, March 03: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that the Government is only waiting for the right moment to crackdown on all those protectors of the law who are sheltering the UGs.

Inspite of the claim of the protectors on the deteriorating law and order condition of the State, it has been known from the intelligence report that the same protectors are sheltering the UGs.

This is really unfortunately.

But the Government is only waiting for the right moment to strike, the Chief Minister, who is also in-charge of the Home informed the Assembly today.

In his observations to the various motions put up by the members during the course of discussion on passing the demands of under the Home Department like Police, Vigilance, Fire Protection and Control, Jails, Home Guards and Rehabilitation, the Chief Minister assured that the matter would be discussed by the State Cabinet seriously and if any of the protectors of the laws were found guilty of harbouring UGs or their close associates, immediate action like withdrawal of the security and booking them would be initiated.

Stating that fratricidal killing would not lead to anywhere, the Chief Minister observed that there may be no other place in the world like Manipur where UG groups are riddled with highest number of factions.

Offering political dialogue as the solution to end the armed conflict in the State, the Chief Minister admitted that security personnel may have committed some mistakes during the course of performing their duties.

However, they would never target any innocent civilian without any definite source, he added.

While informing the House that the action plan of the State Police for improvement of the law and order condition has been approved by the Union Home Ministry and the instruction given for carrying out the task, the Chief Minister said as a consequence of the crackdown, UGs flushed out from Churachandpur areas and Chandel district like Sajik Tampak, Khengjoi and Somtal are on the run now.

There might be some untoward incidents, but don't protect them (UGs), the Chief Minister appealed to all concerned.

Explaining the tasks being taken up for police modernisation under the Home Ministry, the Chief Minister said fencing and construction of the buildings of the police stations are being taken up on war footing and Rs 50 lakhs has been released for paying off the due telephone bills of the police stations so as to restore the snapped telephone lines.

Along with increasing the amount of the fixed deposit in the bank against the name of a surrendered UG from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs, the monthly incentive given to the surrenderees have also been increased from Rs 2500 to Rs 5000, he said.

Apart from earmarking an amount of Rs 10 crores under the SPA, the State Government has identified a plot of land measuring 100 acres at Jiribam for setting up a rehabilitation centre where surrendered UGs can put up with their family members if they want to.

The proposed rehabilitation centre would have facilities for quarters, shopping, health care, etc.

Admitting lack of fire tenders in the Fire Services, the Chief Minister assured that adequate fund for procuring 10 fire tenders in the budget for the next financial year has been earmarked.

Moreover, 15 staff would be appointed in the Forensic Science which is under the Police Dept, he added.

After listening to the observations of the Chief Minister, MLA O Joy of MPP suggested that instead of encouraging bloodshed, it would be proper on the part of the Government to announce unilateral ceasefire with the UGs.

Along with implementations of all the tasks related to the problems of UG, cases should also be registered in connection with the arrest of the UGs from the MLAs' quarters, the O Joy said.

Earlier initiating the discussion on the demands, O Joy said that Manipur police forces is not lagging behind the police forces of other Indian States.

However, presence of a few traitors within has brought bad name to the Police Department and the Government.

It is despicable on the part of some police personnel to go about killing atleast one person every day for the sake of promotion.

This should be stopped by the Govt, O Joy said, adding that killing UGs who are allegedly waging war of separatism from India is not the solution, instead talks should be held in a democratic manner.

To improve public-police relationship, proper training should be imparted to the police personnel, O Joy said, adding that while confronting the activities of the UGs, no efforts have been made to control the problems of law and order created by anti-social elements.

It would be advisable on the part of the Govt to announced unilateral ceasefire so that all those who have gone strayed may come home and stay during Yaoshang festival, O Joy suggested.

The rehabilitation scheme of the surrendered UGs has not been able to implement properly due to presence of some selfish officers, he alleged.

Alleging that the person responsible for killing CDPO Rameshori and Lungnila Elizabeth has been making plans for more killing while languishing in the jail, O Joy questioned where the efficiency of the State Vigilance has gone.

It is not good for a person who has been jailed for killing to come out as a killer, O Joy observed.

Taking part in the discussion, MLA Dr Ng Bijoy pointed out that telephone lines of most of the police stations have not been working thereby causing problem in communicating with the people.

The fund allocated for purchasing the equipments of fire protection is not enough and instead of simply setting up fire service stations in every district, it should be done on the basis of the topography of the land.

MLA RK Anand observed that mushrooming up of many UG groups and their factions has caused lot of inconveniences to the people.

To solve the problem, the State Government should initiate dialogue with various UG groups.

MLA Dr I Ibohalbi maintained that lost of trust on the police by the people is due to lack of discipline among the police personnel.

Toward the effort of improving the police networking, it seems that the wireless service of the police has been neglected.

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