Efforts on to deal with terrorists attacks: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 15 2024: Taking serious note of the continuing terrorist attacks in some parts of the state such as Sugnu taking advantage of security loopholes, chief minister N Biren said that efforts are being made to deal with such situations by deploying central and state security forces.

Responding to the media on the sidelines of inaugurating an Alternate Housing Complex at National Games Village, Langol, here in Thursday, Biren said that the terrorist attack in Sugnu is due to security gaps, for which the government is dealing with by deploying additional state and central security forces.

He also refuted speculations of dividing the state into three parts on ethnic lines, which is being circulated on social media, and appealed to the public not to believe such misinformation.

With regard to the latest gun snatching incident, the CM said that police have recovered some weapons and efforts are on to recover the remaining.

He also stated that the state cabinet had decided 1961 as the base year for identification of non-locals in 2022, after the implementation of ILP System.

Regarding inauguration of the Alternate Housing Complex, Biren confided that the government has its own goals for the welfare and development of the state.

The developmental changes brought by the government since it came to power in 2017 are known to all.

However, there is a ten dency to criticise everything in the society, and there are people, who made a laughing stock of the government's promise to develop Manipur like Singapore, he said.

Regarding the government's initiative to protect and conserve reserved forest areas, the CM expressed that people of the state are suffering the impacts of large scale deforestation as the perpetrators are not sparing even the roots of the trees, which lead to adverse effects in the ecology and weather pattern.

Despite efforts to protect the reserved forests, the government is drawing flak from different corners of the society for making the tough decision, he regretted.

Informing that the alternate housing complex was constructed at a cost of Rs 58 crore with the state's share of Rs 5.60 crore, the chief minister recounted that the project commenced from 2021 and completed in 2023, and commended PDA officials and contractors for completing the project in time.

Similar housing complexes will be constructed in suitable locations in the coming years, he declared, adding that the state cabinet will decide who will be allowed to stay.

Biren pointed out that the government quarters are meant for government employees and those staying in such quarters should also learn to vacate the quarters after retirement or transfer to another location.

There have been instances of land allotment in government quarters and construction of places of worships, he said, while urging all concerned to refrain from such acts.

Manipur is a hilly state with a small portion of valley and there is need to protect the agricultural fields, lakes and rivers.

The state is also facing the impact of global warming and one must strive to address this issue.

Deforestation in the hills lead to water scarcity in the valley, which in turn affects food production among others.

Considering the scarcity of water, the Minor Irrigation Department started groundwater sourcing at 280 locations from last term of the government, he said.

Biren further reminded that the government is developing Lamphelpat at a cost of Rs 600 crore.

The water body will have a depth of around 30 feet and have recreational centres along the shorelines.

Two Imphal Viewpoints have been constructed and another one will be developed at Langol hilltop.

These viewpoints will be connected with the recreational centres via cable cars.

Shortly after the government started the project, different species of birds could be seen in the area after a gap of 109 years.

The government is also consulting with the NBD for developing concrete roads at a cost of Rs 2500 crore, of which 90 per cent will be grant and the remaining 10 per cent will be borne by the Central government.

Bringing development and public welfare are among the main priorities of the government, he said.

Appealing to the people to stop converting agricultural field into residential spaces and factories, Biren said that the revenue department has conducted a survey of agricultural fields, which took one and half years.

Foothill areas, which are not suitable for agricultural activities have been identified.

The government is also planning to introduce a scheme to assist the people in construction of houses if they choose homestead land over agricultural land.

These are part of the government's initiative to protect agricultural land, he said, while urging for public cooperation.

The state is passing through a crisis period and the situation is an outcome of past mistakes.

It is the responsibility of the present generation to bring a better society for the future generation, he said.

The CM also called for a concerted effort instead of acting on emotion, and not to believe everything they see on social media.

Taking advantage of the event, Meira Paibi Lup of Langol area submitted a memorandum to the chief minister, who assured of looking into their demands.

MAHUD commissioner M Joy, who was also present at the event organised by Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD), informed that the Housing Complex has been constructed in an area of 2.16 acre of land.

The buildings are constructed using Light Gauge Steel Frame (LGSF), he said, adding that the LGSF technology has the benefit of reduction of dead weight (60 per cent) compared to RCC buildings and is suitable for high seismic zones especially for places like Manipur falling under seismic zone-V.He continued that the housing complex consists of 5 blocks of G+3 structures, with a total of 180 dwelling units, each block having 36 units.

Forest, environment and climate change minister Thongam Biswajit, works minister Govindas Konthoujam, education minister Th Basanta Kumar, MLAs Kh Ibomcha, S Premchandra, Th Shanti, Sheikh Noorul Hassan and Th Arunkumar, senior government officials, representatives of HUDCO and Nipani Infra & Industries Pvt Ltd (NIIPL) also attended the function among others.

Later, the chief minister visited Lamphelpat and inspected the rejuvenation work of the water body.

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