Braving bullets, threats and blockade, CM inaugurates Kpi, Tpl districts
We will not be cowed down by such violence : Chief Minister
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 15 2016: Amidst two separate ambushes carried out by well armed militants which killed at least three police personnel and left many others wounded, Chief Minister O Ibobi today inaugurated Tengnoupal district.

Later speaking at the inaugural function, Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that such violence would not achieve anything.

"We won't be cowed down by such violence and the incumbent Government would never bow to intimidation", Ibobi stated.

The twin attacks were launched one after another in quick succession at Leingangtabi near Lokchao and in between Thamnapokpi and Bongyang along Imphal-Moreh highway ahead of the Chief Minister's visit to Tengnoupal this morning.

Unfazed by the twin attacks, Ibobi went ahead with the Tengnoupal district inauguration programme.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a bailey bridge.

Braving bullets, threats and blockade, CM inaugurates Kpi, Tpl districts

Ibobi stated that none of the issues plaguing the State can be resolved through violence.

The seven new districts including Tengnoupal were created neither against nor in favour of any community.

The new districts were created purely for administrative convenience.

The Government had no intention to secure political advantage by creating new districts.

The plan was already there and the Government was only waiting for the right time, Ibobi continued.

"Some sections of people would not be happy with the creation of new districts but even God cannot make all men happy", Ibobi asserted.

Highlighting the strategic location of Tengnoupal, the Chief Minister stated that both the Trans Asian Highway and the Trans Asian Railway would pass right through the district headquarters.

Tengnoupal served as a sub-divisional headquarters during the British period and it was from Tengnoupal, administration for entire Chandel district was done.

He also expressed solidarity to all the bereaved families of the police personnel killed in the line of duty for the cause of the State and Tengnoupal district.

He stated that a Cabinet meeting would be convened today itself and a decision would be adopted to grant ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each and a suitable Government job to the next of kin of each of the victims.

The bailey bridge inaugurated today was constructed without waiting for Central funds in view of its key importance to the Asian highway, he added.

Stating that the State's power situation has improved considerably, the Chief Minister assured that there would be no shortage of power in Chandel and Tengnoupal.

The State has already been supplying power to Myanmar.

"When there is unity among the people, no force can harm Manipur", Ibobi continued.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Health and Family Welfare Minister D Korungthang, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Forest and Environment Minister I Hemo- chandra and Works Minister Ksh Biren were also seated on the dais.

MLAs Okram (O) Landhoni, K Sarat, GS Haopu, Chandel ADC Chairman Sesei Zou, Kuki Inpi Manipur Thangkhosei Haokip, village chiefs, Church leaders and community leaders of Moreh too attended the function.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that the creation of new districts was not a knee-jerk decision.

It was fulfilment of long cherished dreams of a large number of people.

The successive Governments of the past were unable to create new districts but the incumbent Government led by the Chief Minister thought the time was right and fulfilled the people's aspirations.

Gaikhangam wished that the creation of new districts may transform Manipur to a progressive State, free from conflicts, bandhs and blockades.