Manipur Assembly reaffirms to protect integrity

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, July 23, 2018: The monsoon session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Session, Leader of the House and chief minister N. Biren Singh moved the House to resolve to uphold and protect the territorial integrity of the state.

Biren Singh said since 1997 the resolution has been unanimously adopted by the House in the interest of the state. He said there is need to make the statement as there is apprehension among the public following the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Naga Framework Agreement.

Regarding the recent meeting with interlocutor R.N. Ravi on the Naga Framework Agreement, he said the interlocutor assured the state delegates that there the agreement does not harm the territorial integrity of Manipur. Leader of the House also observed that although the state has been given assurance there is a need to consult the stakeholders of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh before signing the final agreement.

Biren Singh also appreciated the opposition members for meeting the central leaders in New Delhi keeping aside the differences for the interest of the state. He said time has come for the leaders of the House to unite for safeguarding the territorial integrity of the state.

Speaker Y. Khemchand Singh reaffirmed the stand of the House to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state as affirmed in the House on December 22 last year. . He informed the House that Assembly proceedings will be available in Meitei Mayek script along with Manipuri Bengali Script and English from next year.

Biren Singh informed the House that the recent eviction drive at Nongmaiching Reserve Forest in Imphal East was taken up in the larger interest of the future of the state. He appealed to the people affected by the recent eviction drive not to hold any grudges against the government stating that the government also feels the pain of the families but the action was needed for the future generation.

He said government will extend all possible help to the affected families during the eviction drive and those affected by dredging of Nambul and Imphal River.

Forest and environment minister, Th. Shyamkumar said the eviction of unauthorized encroachers in the Reserve Forest areas of Manipur is a continuous process which has to be carried out after fulfilling due process of law and rules under Indian (Forest) Act 1927; the Manipur (Forest) Rules, 1971 and also the settlement of rights under Forest Rights Act (FRA).

Biren Singh said the enquiry report on the supply of belts to Manipur Police in the year 2014 was submitted to the government on August 17 while the missing of arms and ammunition case has been hand over to NIA. He said the missing of 56 numbers of 9mm pistols came to light following the arrest of two persons of an underground organization presently under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the government. He said an FIR has been registered and handed over the case to NIA.

Biren Singh also tabled the annual report of the State Vigilance Commission Manipur for the year 2017-2018, 46th Annual Report of the Manipur Public Service Commission for the year 2017-2018 and 10th Annual report of the Manipur information Commission for the year 2016-17 (April 2016- March 2017) at the floor of the House.

Joykumar Singh, deputy chief minister who is also in-charge of Finance laid the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Economic and Revenue Sectors for the year ended March 31, 2017, report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Social and General Sectors for the year ended March, 31, 2017 and report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on state Finances for the year ended March, 13, 2017.