Imphal, July 05 2010: State work minister, K Ranjit today warned that if the militants signing suspension of operation with the government continue their extortion activities, government will be compelled to take up stern action against them.

Speaking at a function held to felicitate meritorious students at Sugnu Community Hall, the minister asserted that militants enjoying ceasefire with the security forces under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) are indulging in kidnapping of persons engaged in government developmental programmes in Sugunu area.

As a result of this, progress of works has been hindered he said assuring that appropriate action will be taken up against the activities of these militants as it violet the ground rules of the agreement.

He further said that many developmental schemes are taking up in Sugunu and its adjoining areas and many other are also on the card.

But most of the works could not go ahead as militants under SoO are indulging in taking ransoms by abducting drivers of the JCP, bull dozers and others.

The disturbances given by the militants will delay in the completion of the construction work of bridge on the Serou river which was targeted to completion within three year period.

The bridge which will connect the valley with the hill areas will benefit to both hills and valley people of the area.

Security personnel including police, IRB and Manipur Rifles are deploying in the area to check activities of anti-social elements but if they do nothing and sent militants free hand in doing their activities of kidnapping people for ransoms, it is meaningless for deploying them, he observed.

Instead of remaining watch to the anti-social activities performed by the militants, they should act against them and cooperate with the government in taking up developmental works, he said.

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