Mail News Service
\nImphal, Dec 17: Several bursts of gunfire were heard today at Kangpokpi in Sadar Hills where Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh paid a visit to inaugurate a newly constructed office building of Additional Deputy Commissioner in the Deputy Commissioner office complex and also to lay foundation stones for four SDO offices.
\nAt about 11:30 am, several rounds of loud gunfire started bursting near Heijang range located just opposite to the Additional DC office complex at IB when the convoy of the chief minister was about to reach its destination, police said.
\nThe police said prima facie the blank fire shots were triggered by the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) militants but further said the tattering of the gunfire, which they believed a threatening move to the chief minister\u2019s visit, could not thwart to go ahead with his scheduled programme.
\nThe chief minister inaugurated a new building constructed at DC office complex and also laid foundation stones for four SDO offices and another SDC circle there.
\nThe CM, O. Ibobi said there is no change in the decision of govt. regarding the upgradation of Sadar hills autonomous district council to state level for which process has been going on. India is a democratic country. There is no harm when someone demands in a democratic way.
\nWhile we are alive, we should live cordially to keep an exact record of hills, it is necessary to open a separate department.
\nWe was speaking at the inaugural function of newly constructed building of AWC complex, Kangpokpi and laying the foundation stone for construction of SDO, Tuyang Waichong sub-division, SDO Dhamphai sub division, SDO Kangchup heljang sub division and SDC Lungtin circle today.
\nDue to lack of records in hills, the state govt. is facing a lot of problem. He announced to set up district sports complex in an appropriate area of Sadar Hills. Adequate security forces will also be posted at ADC complex, he said and added that to take up measures for the development of hills the people should not call band and blockade in the near future.
\nPresiding over the function, Th. Debendra, revenue minister said, the demand of a full fledged states of a district is reasonable and he was of the view that priority should be given to Sadar hills for the states of a full fledged district. To have more districts will develop the state.
\nK. Ranjit, works minister, Thangminlen Kipgen, chairmen of hills areas committee, Haokholet Kipgen, MLA, ADC members and concerned officials also attended the function.
\nAddressing at the function, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said Sadar Hills district could be granted only after development of \u201cadequate infrastructure\u201d that required to a full-fledged district.
\nApparently showing anger to the gunfire shots that he encountered on his way today, the chief minister said \u201cgun culture\u201d cannot bring any solution but coming to the table is the only way out in resolving issues.
\nThe government is making efforts to set up a separate revenue directorate for hill districts for smooth record for everyone as population will keep on growing which may make more and more complicated situation in the near future without a revenue directorate, Ibobi said.
\nMeanwhile, the gunfire which police said an undesired disruption stopped just as the chief minister team left Kangpokpi.
\nThe police said they recovered strewn of projectiles on the roof the office building of Additional DC even as some bullets smashed through the wall of the building. No one was injured in the firing, they added.
\nThe Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) Saturday claimed responsibility for the gun fire incident at Kangpokpi that happened during the visit of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh where he inaugurated an office building of Additional Deputy Commissioner.
\nKRA publicity secretary P. Simte while clarified that the gun fire shots were triggered by the militant group to protest the change of office location of SDO and it was not opposing the visit of the chief minister.
\nSadar Hills Disricthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and the Government of Manipur are working in the interest of just one particular clan in their attempt to solve the Sadar Hills issue, Simpte alleged.
\nHe said, \u201cKRA does not oppose to the much expected inauguration of Sadar Hills district and we are indeed demanding a speedy resolution of the issue to facilitate its inauguration at the earliest possible.\u201d
\nSimte also said KRA and all the communities in Sadar Hills by and large have boycotted the inauguration of the newly built sub-division office at a new location. But he said only one clan among the communities accepted it.
\nThe SDC Kangchup Chingkhong has been upgraded to SDO and transferred to P. Golyang village, the Chalwa SDC to Tujanwaichong village and Kangpokpi SDO to Champhai village, he further said.
\nKRA wants to keep the offices where they were before, Simte said, adding that the militant group has been working hard for the betterment of all the communities.<\/p>\n\n