Many call on Governor Uikey
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 02 2023:
Teams of the Committee on Protection & Preservation of Historical Rights of Koubru and Thangjing Hill Ranges, Koireng Youth Organisation, Churachandpur Medical College Guardians Association and the Vice Chancellor of Manipur University called upon Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan today and apprised her of their grievances.
In today's meeting with the Governor, a 5-member team of Committee on Protection & Preservation of Historical Rights of Koubru and Thangjing Hill Ranges led by general secretary Y Shyam Singh requested her to take appropriate steps to protect the sanctity of the two hill ranges.
The team apprised her of the prevailing situation in these hill ranges in the aftermath of ethnic violence and urged her to take steps to protect them.
Informing the Governor that Kuki militants are dominating the Thangjing and Koubru hills and have hoisted their flags and religious emblem there, the team conveyed that these acts have hurt the sentiments of the Meitei people as both the places are of religious importance to the community.
Therefore, the offending items should be removed and the status quo should be maintained, they added.
Stating that the Committee had already apprised the Chief Minister of the situation in September and an FIR was lodged on September 17, unfortunately no concrete steps to remove the installations at the aforesaid areas has materialized.
The Governor, while assuring the team to take steps, said that she will speak to the Chief Minister regarding this matter and asked the team not to resort to different forms of protest or violence.
Separately, a team of Koireng Youth Organisation led by RN Boipu Koireng along with 5 members called on the Governor requesting her to take up steps to ensure the safety and security of the community amidst the ongoing strife in the State.
Apprising the Governor of their apprehension, hardships and suffering, the team said that almost all 10 Koireng villages in Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Imphal West districts have been affected with acute shortages of essential commodities and food items.
The team also urged the Governor to take steps to extend assistance to meet their essential needs.
The Governor assured them that she will talk to the DGP, Manipur to take appropriate security measures to ensure a secure environment for the people of the community.
She asked the team to approach the concerned Deputy Commissioner for their requirements.
In addition, representatives of Churachandpur Medical College Guardians Association led by Md Anuwar Hussain met Governor Anusuiya Uikey and urged her to look into the grievances faced by the medical students of Churachandpur Medical College.
They said that out of the total 100 students (2nd batch MBBS), 92 students including 12 from outside the State have been facing a lot of difficulties in their studies.
Although classes have commenced from September 1 for the 2023-24 batch at the State Academy of Training (SAT), students are deprived of practical classes and hostel facilities.
They also requested the Governor to direct the concerned authorities to take up appropriate steps at the earliest.
After hearing them out, the Governor spoke to Commissioner (Health) PK Jha over the phone during the meeting and asked him to address the grievances faced by the students.
In his response, the Commissioner informed the Governor that arrangements are being made to accommodate the students to the hostel facilities of SAT and priority will be given to girl students.
Further, the process to hire private rented apartments is also going on and within 7-10 days the issue will be solved, he said.
The Governor assured the guardians to extend help in the best interest of the students and asked them to console their wards.
Lastly, the Governor also convened a meeting with Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Professor N Lokendra Singh this evening and discussed the issues pertaining to the students and employees of Manipur University who have been displaced to Churachandpur and other hill districts.
Representations requesting for an alternate arrangement made by the students and employees were also discussed in the meeting.
The Governor instructed the VC to look into these issues and also asked him to meet the Chief Secretary.