Chief Minister visits minor rape victim
Source: The Sangai Express

New Delhi, February 10 2014: Chief Minister O Ibobi today met the 14 year old rape survivor of February 7 in Munirka at AIIMs New Delhi.

Her condition was stable, the CM told reporters at Manipur Bhawan later in the afternoon.

Expressing his concern, the CM said that the incident was unfortunate.

He also informed that he met the Union Home Minister and the Investigating Officer of the Vasant Vihar police station, whom he said has assured that a charge sheet would be filed within 20 days.

The Chief Minsiter also met community based organisations to further take up measures for compensation and support for the rape survivor.

Vouching for a strong anti-racist law, the State Chief Minister said " a strong law is necessary, not only for NE but for any type of racism in the whole country" .

The CM addressing the media

While condemning attacks on "outsiders" in North East India, such as labourers or bisunessmen from Bihar, the Chief Minister clarified that such attacks were carried out by anti � social elements , the non-State actors, and reiterated that such attacks cannot be a parameter or a comparison with racist attacks on NE people in mainland India.

On the status of the NSCN (IM) peace talks, the SoO groups, the UNC and others, the CM said '"We are all living together and will continue to live together.

Without coming down and sitting together and talking, it is not possible to solve anything" he said.

The State Governemt is not involved in the talks between the GoI and NSCN ( IM) said the CM but added that the State Government has initiated the SoO process.

He said "people are fed up of initimidation, illegal extortions by underground outfits, people want peace and development" .

Outrightly rejecting that Manipur is one of the worst States in India, the CM said "what one hears in Delhi is different from what one sees when they come to Manipur.

When people come to Manipur they see a different picture" .

While admitting that there several areas that need improving such as law and order, connectivity, power supply , which are the three key areas for economic investment, he emphasised that several development projects are underway, which is an indication of the improving situation in Manipur.

He said " insurgency has tremendously come down and the situation is improving, many big investors are responding now", claimed the CM.

Admitting that he has no option on withdrawal of AFSPA in the entire state, Inbobi said "the centre does not agree to the removal of AFSPA" .

The reason being that all other areas, other NE states and J and K, will demand the same treatment which the CM said the Centre is not willing to.

The Chief Minister stated that the issue of AFSPA had been placed before the Union Home Ministry several times.

Further Chief Minister added that he had discussed with the MHA that law and order can be dealt by the state Security forces , which he said have also considerably improved.

" I met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in the aftermath of Manorama case, where the 7 assembly constituency in the Imphal valley have been subsequently relaxed from AFSPA" he recalled.

"Fasting is suicidal and is illegal.

I had requested Sharmila to break her fast, unless she does that we cannot release her" said the CM.