Imphal, February 05: Continuing the debate on the Governor's address for the second consecutive day, the Opposition highlighted the alleged absence of any clear cut programmes and policies to tackle the various pressing issues including law and order situation even as the Ruling sweated out to negate the charges.

Leading the Opposition brigade, MPP MLA O Joy said without mincing words that the existing armed insurgency movement in Manipur is for separation from India and so the problem is closely linked with the integrity of the country.

In the efforts being made by the State Government to control the law and order problem, the Central Government is also involved, he said, adding that the Centre has been providing loans to the State Government for the purpose of police modernisation to combat the insurgency problem.

However, the problem of insurgency cannot be solved through military action.

It has to be resolved through democratic means and dialogue and negotiation, Joy observed.

He also took note of the deteriorating relation between the police and the public.

Referring to the points raised in the Governor's address on economic development, Joy asserted that it did not spell out clearly on how the economic growth of the State has to be enhanced.

The amount of Rs 1420.40 crores that has been sanctioned as the State plan for the fiscal year 2007-08 is meant for improving the assets of the State, now it appears that the same is going to be used up in some useless projects, he said.

Joy further noted that the Governor's address also did not mention how economic activities are to be generated in employment sector or on generation of income in Public Private Partnership.

The ability to translate the decisions taken on the table and translate it for the benefits of the people is the hallmark of a good governance, Joy said.

Inspite of setting up a Vigilance Commission in the State, no power has been bestowed upon it to institute inquiry.

So the address of the Governor reflected the image of a Government which lacks strength of its own, he added.

Taking part in the debate, another MPP MLA RK Anand observed that strengthening and giving more power to the Home Department is essential to contain the problem of armed insurgency movement in the State.

Unfortunately, the Governor's address remained mum on matters related violation of the laid down rules and regulations by the security forces.

At times, there seems to be a state of emergency prevailing in Manipur.

So in order to protect the rights of the people, introduction of humanitarian laws may be necessary, he said, while expressing regret over the failure of the Governor's address to mention more details on the issue of insurgency problem in the State.

MLA Morung Makunga maintained that although the Governor's address took note of the forces that are out to disintegrate Manipur, it is bereft of any policy to protect the integrity of the State.

While pointing out that the grievances of the people living in the hills are many, the MLA took note of the contentious issue of delimitation and wondered the demand for re-census had not been raised at the time of publishing of the census report.

He also proposed for recommendation to hold plebiscite to end the insurgency problem.

MLA Dr Khasim Ruivah contended that the inclusion of the phrase 'integrity of State' in the Governor's address is a misnomer as every legislators have been sworn under the Constitution of India to protect the integrity of the Nation.

Describing the Governor's address as sugar coated quinine, Ruivah noted that the benefits of the developmental works taken up under the Minor Irrigation/IFCD have never reach the hill districts.

In his reply to the discussion on the Governor's address, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh informed the House that talks with the Kuki outfits KNO and UKLF have begun since yesterday at the level of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs with the State's Principal Secretary (Home) as the representative of the Government of Manipur.

Maintaining that it was a good sign toward ushering in peace in the State, the Chief Minister appealed to all the UG groups operating in the State, whether be it hill-based or valley-based to come to the negotiating table.

The State Government is keeping its door wide open for holding dialogues with all the UG groups and no third party would be involved in this process and the venue of talks would be in Manipur only, the Chief Minister assured.The Ministry of Home Affairs has also given its approval to the proposal of an action plan for maintenance of law and order in the State, the Chief Minister said.

He further said that the problem of law and order in the State is being discussed by the Centre at the Prime Minister and the Home Minister's level from time to time.

Since we cannot continue to depend on the Central forces for controlling the law and order problem, efforts have to be made to strengthen the State forces.

In this regard, steps have been taken up to increasing the strength of manpower in each police stations from 60 to 70 personnel apart from the arrangement being made to recruit 3075 police personnel and setting up one battalion of commandos and 7th IRB along with providing necessary equipments, the Chief Minister informed the House.

To ensure protection of the commandos and their family members, 100 acres of land has been kept reserved at Lamphelpat for setting up a colony, the Chief Minister said.

He said that instructions have been given to all the SPs to ensure that instances of abduction or killing do not take place in their respective districts.

They are also being called up to report their achievements every now and then.

Moreover, the meetings of the combined headquarters is being convened every month to review the law and order situation in the State.

Along with revising the surrender policy in a more attractive manner, the State Government has increased the monthly incentive amount from Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 and the fixed deposit amount from Rs 1.5 lakhs o Rs 5 lakhs, he said, adding that for setting up a rehabilitation centre at Jiribam, 100 acres of land has also been kept reserved.

Every possible efforts are also being made to reap the full benefit of the Look East Policy of the Government of India.

So it is the desire of the State Government develop the Airport at Imphal which would become an important transit route with other South Asian countries, the Chief Minister stated.

Assuring that adequate compensation would be paid to the affected land owners at the time of expansion of the airport, the Chief Minister said there would be no question of force acquirement of land.

A sum of Rs 7 crores has been sanctioned for development and expansion of the Moreh town, he added.

The Chief Minister further said that necessary steps are being taken up to improve the police-public relationship.

The task of constructing the District Mini-Secretariat would be completed by the next financial year, 2008-09.The task could not be accomplished within the current fiscal year as some time has been taken in resolving certain dispute over acquisition of the required land.

Under the NREGS, the benefits of the 'Food for Work' would be extended to all the people of Thanlon, Tipaimukh, Tamei, etc who have been affected by bamboo flowering.

All the departments concerned are also looking into the possibility of implementing hundred point roster programme on reservation in the hill districts.

Since 90 percent of the total geographical area of the State are occupied by the hills, efforts are being made to provide 60 percent of the plant amount to the hill districts, the Chief Minister said.

After withdrawal of all the amendment motions put up by the members, the Governor's address was passed by the House.

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