CO suspended for using MR men in private works
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 18 2022: Informing that commandant of 7th Manipur Rifles has been suspended on the charge of utilising riflemen under his command in his private construction works, chief minister N Biren has warned of taking up stern action if any officers were found using their sub ordinate staff in non-official tasks.

Addressing a press conference at the CM's bungalow in the presence of chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and DGP P Doungel on Wednesday, CM Biren said that public salute the security personnel as they are protecting the lives and properties of the public.

Officers using these personnel in their household works are not only violation of the service rules but also tantamount to undermining the dignity of the subordinate staff.

It is an inhumane act and the government will not tolerate such acts, he affirmed.

The government, on receiving information of some officers using havildar, riflemen and constables in the household works including cooking and washing clothes, carried out a simultaneous drive against high-ranking officers of the home department in Churachandpur and Langol areas on Tuesday.

During the drive, commanding officer of 7th Manipur Rifles P Goulungmuon Singsit was found using MR riflemen in the construction of his house.

Consequently, he was placed under suspension for initiating appropriate legal actions, the CM elaborated, while adding that the suspension is a warning to all other officers, who are indulging in such activities.

The CM maintained that he took a firm stand to bring developmental changes in the state and also taken a vow to prevent any corrupt activities.

In this line, the government is now monitoring all the officers as well as ministers and MLAs.

The government is collecting excess vehicles from its officers.

There are reports of anti-social elements using government issued vehicles with red beacon light to transport illegal items and carry out illegal activities.

As such, the home department has started monitoring such activities, he said.

Regarding the issue of sub-letting government quarters, the CM said that not only common people, who are not government employees, are living in government quarters but also anti-social people are using the quarters as their den, which is a serious matter, and the government will not allow such activities at all.

So far, over 30 employees have been suspended for subletting quarters allotted to them.

In connection with the construction of employees' quarters at New Checkon, the CM said that the state government has taken a loan of Rs 230 crore from HUDCO for constructing a six-storeyed residential complex at New Checkon, presently occupied by Tribal Colony quarters.

This project was started to provide the needed accommodations to government employees.

HUDCO has already released Rs 60 crore for the project, he revealed, while urging the occupants of the existing quarters to refrain from making an issue in the name of religious structure, which was constructed illegally.

Due to incessant rains in the last few days, the state is facing issues like floods in Jiribam, landslides in some areas, the CM noted, and added that the government is fully prepared for any eventuality.

The government is monitoring the situation 24x7, and necessary reliefs are being provided through the DCs concerned, he said.

The CM further appealed to the people to ensure that drainages around their homes are not clogged.

Biren also said the state is witnessing significant success in the 'war on drugs' campaign.

He said since April 20, the government has been able to seize illegal drugs worth over Rs 182 crore in the international market and at the same time has destroyed 380 acres of poppy cultivation.

On May 6, Poumai tribe, which is the second-largest tribe of the Nagas in Manipur, declared their areas as drug-free zone and resolved to stand against poppy plantations.

On May 9, leaders and CSOs of the largest Naga tribe, Tangkhul submitted a resolution to support the 'war on drugs' campaign and to stand against poppy plantations, the CM said.

He also highlighted the support from different CSOs including Inpui, Liangmai, Ronmei and Zeme tribes, village chiefs of Saikul, Tengnoupal and Chandel assembly constituencies among others.

Several drug traffickers have been arrested and one such person was even sentenced to 14 years in jail, he said.

Highlighting the achievement of the 'war on drugs' campaign, the CM said that altogether 719.25 kg of seized Ganja, 940 grams of Brown Sugar, 18.7555 kgs of Heroin Powder, 87 kg of WY Tablets (Methamphetamine), and 20 kg of Crystal Ice (Methamphetamine) will be disposed at the earliest.

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