Skull discovery Rajnath urged to direct CBI to probe case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2015: After it was decided to rope in the CBI to investigate the discovery of human skulls and skeletal remains from the campus of the erstwhile Tombisana High School, the State Government has urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to direct the CBI to take over the particular case for speedy investigation, Chief Minister O Ibobi stated in the State Assembly today during discussion of supplementary demands for grants.

The human skulls and skeletal remains were discovered while digging the ground for construction of a new market complex equipped with parking lots under the Urban Development Ministry.

The discovered human skulls-File photo

Reminding that the State Government promptly decided to hand over the case to CBI, Ibobi appealed to all political parties to contribute their resources in establishing the facts behind the mysterious discovery.

"Let's all watch together and see if there are any more skeletal remains in the erstwhile school campus and the whole process of excavation may be done in front of a Magistrate and the process may be recorded in video.

But let there be no opposition to the ground digging work as the ground floor section of the new market complex must be completed before the onset of rainy season", Ibobi appealed.

The whole process of excavation may be overseen by representatives of different civil society organisations, he stated.

Talking about expansion of road from Keishampat to Malom, Ibobi stated that the Government spent around Rs 100 crore in payment of compensation for affected land and standing properties.

The road is being expanded after overlooking different constraints in view of the key link it provides to Tulihal Airport which has been already granted the status of an international airport.

The State Government has been appealing to the successive Prime Ministers to develop Imphal-Jiribam highway as a standard highway.

It is matter of shame that vehicles get stuck in mud along different sections of the highway during rainy season.

A team of the Central Government visited the State and they were given the prerogative to visit each of the four valley districts together with DCs concerned and choose the most appropriate site for the proposed National Sports University.

Land acquisition process is almost complete and it is only awaiting the formal hand over.

The Government would look into the possibility of promoting footballer Bala to the rank of Sub Inspector from Constable in Police Department as an acknowledgement of her feat of winning the country's Footballer of the Year (Women) title.

Manipur's performance in the Kerala National Games was below expectation.

It was mainly due to scrapping of around 10 events where Manipur players have strong potential of winning gold medals.

The State's performance was also affected as many players of the State were offered handsome amounts of money to represent other States.

Traffic congestion in Imphal city is aggravated by shopkeepers who usually park their vehicles right in front of their shops, observed the Chief Minister.

He also assured to look into the maintenance of Manipur Bhavan, Delhi and possible improvement measures.

Commenting on the reports that some cheques issued in the names of IFCD contractors have been confiscated by police commandos, the Chief Minister maintained that a police team was asked to collect and distribute cheques to contractors as the engineers concerned could not issue cheques by themselves alone.

This problem had its roots in executing the retaining wall construction of Nambul river by 5/6 contractors without work orders, Ibobi informed the House.

Acknowledging observation of some MLAs that the Secretariat lacks transparency and majority of the staff are accustomed to waiting for owners before moving a file from one table to another, Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that efforts are underway to computerize all files in order to check the practice of withholding files.

Noting that many private schools have been functioning as pure business enterprises, Ibobi announced that an FIR would be registered and police would verify all the recognition certificates of CBSE schools of the State.

Commenting on the reports that around 2500 students of CBSE schools have not been given admit cards to appear for the Class X and Class XII exams, the Chief Minister categorically stated that the school authorities cannot plead innocence in this case.

Due precautionary measures have been taken up at border areas in order to check outbreak of Swine Flu in the State, Ibobi informed the House.

MLAs L Ibomcha, Kh Joykisan, Dr I Ibohalbi, Th Shyamkumar and K Shyam took part in discussing the supplementary demand.