Centre intimated on SAPO ban against Mao denizens: CM
CM asks minister to withhold bills for projects not conforming to specifications
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, February 23 2023: Chief minister N Biren Singh has assured the Manipur Legislative Assembly on Thursday that his government will not succumb to any pressure mounted on issues regarding boundary of the state.

Replying to a calling attention motion raised by opposition MLA K Ranjit Singh regarding the reported ban on entry of Mao villagers into Nagaland by Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO), the CM said that the issue is a very sensitive one and the government is trying to solve it with commitment.

He said the dispute in the Kozuru area near Dzuko Valley is a crucial issue which the state government has been trying to solve it without disturbing relationship with the neighbouring Nagaland.

He continued that an order was issued on December 13, 2020 and thereafter, security barrack at Kozuru was constructed along with deployment of state forces.

The chief minister and the deputy chief minister of Nagaland have been informed about the prohibition on Mao villagers from entering Nagaland by SAPO and they assured of taking all steps to stop such activities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also been intimated with the latter assuring to provide full-proof security to the people, he added.

Terming the incidents of burning vehicles and beating people of Manipur in Nagaland as unfortunate, Biren said that the government is monitoring the situation round the clock and all out efforts will be made to avoid any untoward incidents.

Mao to Dimapur bus service via Peren district of Nagaland has been introduced for facilitating people travelling to Nagaland.

Mao market has also been opened at different locations of Imphal city so as to enable people of Mao sell their products.

He said that the people of Mao area and especially Mao MLA L Dikho have been supporting the steps taken up by the government, and appreciated the MLA and the people through the August House.

Raising the motion, MLA Ranjit said that the state government should take up concrete steps to defend the unwarranted pressure of SAPO to protect people of Mao area.

Meanwhile, CM N Biren has asked the water resources minister not to release bill for works related to retaining wall projects, which narrow down the existing river sizes, and do not have bore-piles.

The CM gave the instruction during the discussion on demand for grants for water resources department amounting to Rs 839,83,55,000 in the ongoing state assembly session on Thursday.

During the discussion, opposition members K Ranjit and Th Lokeshwar moved policy cut motions while bringing up several issues on the works and projects executed under the department.

In response, water resources minister Awangbow Newmai said there are several projects related with water resources being taken up in the state.

Though, Imphal Barrage Project is leaking, the department has not been able to repair the dam due to fund constraints.

However, a fund of Rs 311 crore has been sanctioned for a Rehabilitation and Improvement Project under Extension Renovation and Modernisation scheme.

Designing work for the spillway is in progress and once the design is completed and approved, work will begin, he said.

The minister also informed that DPRs for a multipurpose dam over Congo River for providing water supply to the people of Ukhrul district, and another dam on Makhan River have been finalised.

The minister further said that ADB has approved for Rs 650 crore funding for Rejuvenation of Lamphel water body to alleviate urban flooding and providing sustainable water source for Imphal city and promoting eco-tour-ism'.

Consultation works for the first phase of the project have been completed and preparation is on to restore the natural eco-system in the catchment areas of the major rivers of the state to prevent drying up.

State Water Informatics Centre has been established under National Hydrology Project, and 34 real-time data of surface and ground water monitoring stations installed at different parts of the state.

Moreover, two mobile vehicles to test water quality have been made operational, the minister said.

He further said that 17.30 km left canal of Dolaithabi Multipurpose Project has been completed while 750 metres on the right canal remained pending due to land issue.

However, the issue has been resolved and work resumed from Thursday after the pending compensations were released to the land owners, he added.

Supplementing reply of the minister, Biren took serious note on the information shared by opposition member Th Lokeshwar and asked the minister not to release bill for construction of the retaining wall projects, which were executed without bore pile, as well as those projects, which narrow down the natural width of rivers.

Meanwhile, Keishamthong MLA Sapam Nishikant drew attention of the House to the issue of frequent monsoon flood faced by the people of Keishamthong AC due to the present condition of Waishel Maril.

In response, Awangbow Newmai told the House that Rs 42.25 crore DPR had been submitted to the directorate of national river conservation under Ministry of Jal Shakti after a proper study of Waishel Maril as per the instruction of the chief minister.

He also expressed confidence that the Centre will approve the project.

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