Imphal, March 30: For every plate of rice during utsav offered at Bijoy Govinda, Narsingha temples etc, UG groups have been charging Rs 5 each.

Migrants workers have been mowed down mercilessly.

People of others States may have viewed Manipur as a land of the death.

People of the State may have the perception that the State has also been killing people wantonly.

Under the existing situation, should the Government remain a mute spectator ? questioned Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the Shija Emergency, Trauma and Burn Unit.

He claimed that doctors of Manipur are more talented than doctors of other States.

Manipuri nurses have greater patience than nurses of other States.

Because of their superior qualities, a large number of Manipuri doctors and nurses are working in hospitals outside the State.

Before killing the migrants workers in the State, all concerned must ponder over what could happen to the talented and meritorious Manipuris working and studying in other States of India, Ibobi cautioned.

Had the fund sanctioned for maintenance of law and order been used in development works, the State would have certainly progressed a lot, he claimed.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that Shija Hospitals, despite having certain deficiencies, has become an advanced hospital today.

As the facilities available in Shija Hospital is comparable to hospitals located in Delhi, Guwahati etc, the number of Manipuri patients going to other States for treatment may be reduced to just 5 percent within a short time.

Even as a Trauma and Emergency centre had been opened at JN Hospital, the same cannot be said to be sufficient.

As such, it is essential to open such centres in private hospitals like the Shija Hospital, Ibobi noted.

As Manipur will be linked to other States of India by railway, there is the necessity to upgrade Imphal airport to international standard, the Chief Minister contended.

With the emergence of Imphal airport as the most vital and nearest airport to countries of South East Asia, the importance and responsibility of Shija Hospital will only multiply with time, he stated.

Maintaining that upgradation of Imphal airport is in the interest of the State, Ibobi appealed to the people to provide land for expansion of Tulihal Airport.

He assured that the Government would not do anything that may hurt sentiments of the people.

Addressing the gathering as guest of honour, Health and Family Welfare Minister Pheiroijam Parijat hailed Shija Hospital for the health care facilities it is providing to the people which are not available in Government hospitals.

In his presidential speech, CMD of Shija Hospital and Research Institute Dr Palin while taking note of people's comment that treatment in Shija Hospital is expensive, stated that he would look in to provide certain advantages to patients of BPL families.

Giving key-note address of the function, Medical Superintendent of Shija Hospital Dr Jugindro appealed to the State Government to help the Smile Train Shija Cleft Project reach Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Earlier, lamp lighting and oath taking ceremony of the second batch of Shija Academy of Nursing was also held today.

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