Imphal, April 14: With overground workers of different insurgent groups involving themselves in several subversive and seditious activities which are more severe in nature and impact than those perpetrated by UG cadres, they will be treated just like the outlawed UG cadres and fitting actions will be taken up against them, stated Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also in charge of the Home Department.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the release function of a booklet highlighting the achievements of the SPF Government in the first year of its second tenure at State Guest House this afternoon.

He noted that the gravest problem of the State today is law and order.

Taking serious note of the situation and giving due and urgent emphasis to maintenance of law and order, promotion of peace and protection of territorial integrity, the State and Central Governments have initiated necessary measures, Ibobi assured.

In order to maintain law and order in the State, not only the manpower of Police Department has been increased but modernisation of the Department has also been fully initiated.

The State Government has also approved establishment of women police stations in every district headquarters.

Moreover the State has plans to establish a women exclusive commando force.

With most of the UG groups operating in both the hills and valley caught in factionalism and factional fights, the insurgency movement has really gone down the drain and the objectives of these groups are highly questionable, he added.

Asserting that the activities of over ground workers are more severe in degree and nature than those perpetrated by UG cadres, the Chief Minister declared that the over ground workers will be treated just like the outlawed UG cadres and fitting actions will be initiated against them.

Highlighting the achievements of the Police Department, Ibobi stated that 1296 UG cadres were pulled up last year while 121 cadres of different UG groups were eliminated during the same period.

While 163 extremists were detained under the National Security Act, six others surrendered to the Government.

Besides 199 weapons of different sizes and a huge quantity of ammunition seized during the period, security forces managed to recover Rs 69,29,848 in cash, said the CM.

Against the guideline of the Ministry of Affairs of providing Rs 1.50 lakhs as fixed deposit in the name of a surrendered UG cadre and monthly stipend of Rs 1500, the State Government has increased the fixed deposit amount to Rs 5 lakhs and monthly stipend to Rs 5000.Expressing deep concern over the ever increasing crime rate and violence, the Chief Minister noted that only guns do not kill people.

The act of forfeiting PDS items, Mid-Day meal and other items provided under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to poor people and children is also a form of cold-blooded murder, he asserted.

As such, the State Government has also taken up different measures to plug loopholes observed in the distribution of PDS items and implementation of different public welfare schemes/projects, he stated.

Touching on financial matters, the Chief Minister claimed that the financial condition of the State has improved considerably over the last three years.

The State Government is now able to provide salaries and other benefits to its employees in time.

Moreover, the Government was able to utilise 90 percent of the annual State plan amount, he added.

As a democratic country, it is necessary to inform the public about the projects/programmes taken up by the Government during the past year.

That is why, today's function is organised and the booklet released, explained Ibobi.

The SPF Government completed its first year of the second term on March 3 last.

Today's function was also attended by thew Assembly Speaker, Vice-Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee, CPI MLA Dr H Borajao, other Ministers, MLAs and State Government officials.

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