CM calls for collective efforts to address issues
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, March 23 2023: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stressed the need for joint and coordinated efforts among legislature, executive and judiciary to save the state from issues of drug menace, illegal immigrants, and mass deforestation among others.

The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering at the inaugural function of the 10th Anniversary Celebration of High Court of Manipur, held at the High Court Complex on Thursday.

The celebration will continue till March 25 .

CM N Biren continued that creating an appropriate forum consisting of representatives from legislative, executive and judiciary to discuss important issues affecting the future of the state is the need of the hour.

Acknowledging that the state is in an alarming situation with problems of large-scale deforestation, illegal drug trafficking and illegal immigrants through the porous border; he urged all competent authorities not to compromise on important issues relating to national and state security.

He stressed the need for coming up with a stringent Act to tackle all such problems, while further seeking support and suggestion to the government's efforts for successfully overcoming the problems.

Biren continued that recognising the uniqueness and importance of a small state like Manipur, which is inhabited by different communities, even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah saw to the implementation of ILP to protect the indigenous populace.

He then remarked that the recent influx of outsiders could be attributed to the political instability in the neighbouring Myanmar, with some taking advantage of the 398 km of un-fenced border area.

This is proven by the presence of around 1000 households in Khenjang village, which was practically non-existent in the satellite mapping image of 2006.Thus, a booklet highlighting the changes undergone by areas from 2006 to 2021 and from 2010 to 2011 will be published, he informed.

Regarding the shortage of water, the CM said that the cause is due to loss of forests.

Left with no option, water from Thoubal Dam was channelled up to Imphal on Wednesday.

Loktak Lake is also drying up, he informed, while stating that the call for protecting reserved forest, protected forest, wild life sanctuary and not to clear forest areas for poppy plantation is not out of self-interests but for the people and the state itself.

He recounted that in the 1980s, the rich including offspring of officers use to abuse drugs as a fashion, which affected the state and further led to the spread of HIV/AIDS, indirectly making many Manipuris feel ashamed of being part of the state at that time.

Subsequently, the HIV/AIDS situation was brought under control but abuse of drugs has again gained ground in the state.

Many people choose to hide the drug users in their families fearing social stigma and embarrassment, which is not helping the situation at all, he cautioned.

The CM continued that it is the government's objective to leave behind a glorious Manipur for the future generation.

As the drug menace is the biggest challenge, there seems to be a need to make people understand through their local clubs and even organising door-to-door visits.

He then informed that the state government has opened a rehabilitation centre in Sugnu Siphai, which currently has 50 inmates.

There is plan to open two more rehab centres.

Meanwhile, there is an intelligence report that some people are distributing drugs, which are being stored in plastic, for free onboard school buses with the aim of making people addicted, thereby helping to expand their business.

Thus, he urged the judges and advocates to give legal advice and support from time to time with regard to national integrity and security of the state, although they may compromise on some issues.

The chief minister then maintained that the state government's 'War on Drugs' campaign and its effort to protect the reserved forest is for the betterment of the state's future, adding that the government is not going against any community.

The government needs to separate the issues plaguing the state on priority and non-priority basis, or else the state will be in a difficult situation.

Thus, he called for concerted efforts in putting an end to mass deforestation and poppy cultivation.

Observing that the NDPS Act seems to be a bit out of touch with the present times, Biren informed that the government has sent an ordinance to the Home Ministry for rectifying the same but is currently in pending.

The reason to rectify is the presence of a provision which states that no arrests can be made if the seized drug quantity is less.

Thus, he urged the judges to discuss the matter so that even if an individual is arrested with miniscule quantity of drugs, he/she is not granted bail.

He further urged for formulating a stringent Act in consultation with all parties concerned.

Mentioning about the various works taken up to strengthen the judicial system of the state, Biren informed that the District Court building, Tamenglong had been constructed with a total cost of Rs 31.85 crore and would be ready for inauguration by December, 2023 .

Construction of G+3 Annexe building District Court building in Thoubal has also been completed and would be inaugurated soon.

He also mentioned the construction of District Court Complex Kakching and District Court Complex Senapati at an estimated cost of Rs 10.40 crore each.

The government would construct a Single Court building at Mao with a Judicial Quarter at Mao at an estimated cost of Rs 4.53 crore, he added.

CM Biren stated that a Judicial Type-VI Quarter and Compound Fencing with Gate of Quarter Complex at Ukhrul, would be constructed at a total cost of Rs 2.57 crore, adding that the government was planning to establish District & Sessions Court, Jiribam.

In view of increasing number of cases handled by NIA and CBI and nearly hundreds of which trials are handled by existing District & Sessions Judge, a Special Court for NIA and CBI Cases would be established as soon as possible, he informed.

Delivering his presidential speech, High Court of Manipur Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidaran highlighted certain development and improvement in the judicial system of the state over the years.

He stressed the need to establish District & Sessions Courts in the revenue districts, which are yet to be established, in a planned and phased manner, adding that this would help to clear the public perception of hill and valley differences in terms of accessibility to judicial service.

He then expressed hope that the chief minister, with his dynamic broad vision for development and betterment, would leave no stone unturned to make the judicial system of the state, one of the finest in the country.

During the programme, Manipur Judicial Academy director Justice Kh Nobin Singh deliberated on the topic 'War on Drugs', for which the chief minister extended words of appreciation.

Manipur Human Rights Commission chairman Utpalendu Bikas Saha, High Court of Manipur judges Justice A Bimol Singh and Justice A Guneshwar Shar ma, advocate general Lenin Hijam, Bar Council of Manipur chairman S Brajbihari Singh, High Court Bar Association of Manipur president Y Nirmolchand Singh, All Manipur Bar Association president P Tomcha, judges, senior advocates and senior government officials also attended the programme among others.

Comment