Manipur will not break apart: Biren
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 31 2024:
Chief Minister N Biren has categorically stated that Manipur will never break apart nor can it be broken by any force.
The Chief Minister made this statement in the Manipur Legislative Assembly today during the question hour in response to a query raised by Congress MLA K Ranjit.
The Central Government has been told in clear terms not to divide Manipur in any manner without the consent of the people, he said.
During the question hour, Congress MLA K Ranjit asked the Government whether it gave permission for the rallies taken out at Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal district headquarters on June 24, 2024 demanding a Union Territory, and why the district administrations did not prevent the rallies if the Government had given no permission.
Replying to K Ranjit, CM N Biren who is also the leader of the House stated that it is the Central Government which would take up necessary measures to avoid disintegration of Manipur.
The Central Government has been told that the question of Manipur's integrity can never be compromised, Biren said.
The rallies were taken out as India is a democratic country where every citizen is guaranteed the freedom of speech and expression.
The State Government did not give permission for the rallies, the Chief Minister stated.
"As the people who took out the rallies are also our people, no excessive force could be used.
Yet, the Government kept a close vigil to prevent anti-National and anti-State activities", Biren said.
As there were no incidents of violence or casualties in the course of the rallies taken out on June 24, no FIRs were registered.
Nonetheless, an investigation is going on against the leaders of the rallies, he told the House.
To a query raised by K Meghachandra regarding eviction at Waithou Sangomsang, Thoubal district, Biren said that the houses built in reserved forest areas were evicted in public interest.
Although no application has been received from the 12 victims, a verification process is underway for rehabilitation of the evicted families.
If any of the evicted families are found to be landless, the Government would take up necessary process for their rehabilitation, Biren said.
The verification process has been delayed due to the unrest.
Some spaces have been set aside for allotment to landless people, he said.
To another query raised by MLA Th Lokeshwar, the Chief Minister informed the House that construction of sports infrastructure has been completed at the district level.
He said that a playground would be constructed in each and every Assembly segment.
Replying to a question raised by K Meghachandra on not holding Panchayat elections for 32 months, RD&PR Minister Y Khemchand said that the State Election Commission has been intimated to hold the Panchayat elections within the month of September, 2024 after the State Cabinet adopted a decision to this effect.
Once the State Election Commission fixes the election schedule, due process would be initiated to hold the election, Khemchand said.
The Panchayat election was fixed on June 9 last year and even a public notice was issued in this regard but the election was postponed on account of the violent crisis, Khemchand added.
Responding to a query raised by K Ranjit, Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai said that there are 256 illegal structures including community halls on the banks of Imphal River between Heingang and Lilong.
Due process will be initiated to evict these illegal structures after verification as per the Manipur Flood Plain Zoning Act 1978, Awangbow Newmai said.
As per the Manipur Flood Zoning Act 1978, no structure can be built within 50 metres from the centre of any river and six metres from the river's embankment.
Eviction from Naga Nullah has already started and the Government has been working to carry out similar eviction drives at other rivers/places, he added.
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