Day: July 14, 2014

IMPHAL, July 14: Sending out a loud and clear message against underground groups breaching ground rules and committing crimes, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said that the government will not tolerate violence.

The Chief Minister was responding to a call for an amendment to the motion of thanks raised by Opposition leader, Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA Samuel Risom during today’s sitting of the 8th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

A motion of thanks for discussion on the Governor’s Address was moved by MLA T Mangibabu Singh and MLA Y Surchandra Singh on February 24, 2014, the discussion of which was held today.

The motion was approved by the House unanimously after the MLAs who raised the call for amendment withdrew.

Taking serious note of the series of crimes committed by armed groups including the killing of an Ukhrul ADC member, ambush on other elected representatives and continuous bomb attacks and threats to officials, the Chief Minister divulged that the people now understand the full sinister implications of ideologies or objectives of militant groups even if they don’t raised their voices.

We are all law abiding citizens of India, underscored the Chief Minister.

But, if they continue to take laws into their own hands, the government have no choice but to act, he continued.

Narrowing down to Dr Ibohalbi’s concerned on the seriousness of the crimes committed by the NSCN-IM totally disregarding the grounds rules despite being in peace talks with Government of India he asked rhetorically “We are hoping and praying that a solution be brought to the Naga political problem but if they persist on committing crimes where else can it lead to?”

Further, while referring to the killing of the Ukhrul ADC member, who is a people’s representative, he termed the act to be beyond limits and went on to say that the government will not tolerate anymore.

He exhorted that it is high time to stand up against such anti-social activities in unison irrespective of hill or valley groups.

Meanwhile, giving his clarification on other issues raised by the MLAs, the Chief Minister assured to amend the State AIDS policy to ensure that it is made more effective.

Coming to the State boundary issue, the Chief Minister said that although there are no concerned of boundary encroachment from the other neighbouring States, the fencing has been put on hold until as resurvey is conducted as per the aspiration of the people.

If the need arises, the government is always ready for a joint venture cutting across political affiliation of ideology as was done in the pass, he continued.

The Chief Minister also assured to look upon various issues raised by the MLAs including the devolution of powers to the panchayat, water management and ascertaining the shortcomings on the part of the government in addressing some issues in the hills.

Moving his motion, Dr Ibohalbi mentioned that the Governor’s Address failed to mention about the issues faced by the public including law and order, drugs etc.

On the other hand, MLA Samuel Risom mentioned that the address fails to mention about the measures put to check rampant conversion of hill villages into valleys and the policy to increased funds allocation for the hill areas.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/government-will-not-tolerate-criminal-activities-of-ugs-chief-minister/

IMPHAL, July 14: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU), responsible for major drug seizures in the State, was not set up with the approval of the State Home department but constituted by the superintendent of police (SP) of the concerned district, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio today.

Gaikhangam was replying to a question raised by senior Congress MLA, Y Irabot Singh during the Question Hour on the second day of the 8th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The Home minister elaborated that the unit worked under the direct supervision of an SP adding that it was constituted on May 6, 2012 and abolished on January 15, 2013.

SIU was not a sanctioned unit but constituted by the than SP Imphal West as per the requirement of the district to efficiently discharge its duty by assisting in cases involving PDS items, forest products, drugs etc.

In his question the Wangkhei MLA, Y Irabot had sought a clarification from the Home minister of the date of constitution of the SIU and its purposes.

At the same time, he also sought the date the unit was abolished.

Further in his supplementary question, Irabot had enquired about the sudden transfer of officer in charge SIU, K Ranjit just after a huge drug consignment seizure from near the NRL oil pump, Mantripukhri. He further sought details of the case.

In his response, Gaikhangam clarified the transfer of the OC was a normal departmental process.

As for the drug seizure case it has been handed over to the CBI, said Giakhangam but said he could not provide details of the seized items as it was not available with him.

In another question, Irabot further queried whether there were any instances of registration of FIR in case of non-cognizable offence with or without the order of the competent court and to provide with the details.

Gaikhangam responded that there was no such cases till date, however if it was so, he assured to look into the matter and act accordingly against the erring personnel.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/gaikhangam-disowns-siu-says-unit-not-sanctioned-by-home/