Chief minister on arbitrary power to Assam Rifles

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, February 22, 2019: Arbitrary powers granted to Assam Rifles in Northeast India is a precautionary measure in the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Kashmir, Manipur chief minister N.Biren Singh said here on Friday.

He said there are intelligence inputs that there might be terror attacks in the Northeast as well.

The Home ministry has granted the Assam Rifles the power to arrest anyone and search a place without warrant in the northeastern state of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. Its notification issued on Tueday (pleae check the day) said an officer of  any rank corresponding to that of the lowest rank has granted these powers.

“Such a step is a security measure for the welfare of the nation and it has nothing to do with the common people of the state,” the chief minister said replying to reporters on the sidelines of the flag-off ceremony of car rally commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here Imphal on Friday.

However, the chief minister, later in the Assembly clarified that the ministry of Home affairs has informed the state government through telephone that the order of empowering the Assam Rifles has been kept in abeyance saying he could not confirm it while talking to reporters at the ceremony of flagging-off of the car rally heading towards Yangon.

He said he made the clarification so that people of the would overcome fear of the government order published in newspapers.

The chief minister at the flagging-off ceremony said road safety has become “a cause of concern in our times” and such rally would take up advocacy on road safety concerns to the public.

The rally will also help in reaffirming our belief in the principles of truth, non-violence and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, he added.

The motor car rally was flagged-off by Union minister for road transport and highways  Nitin Gadkari on February 4 from Rajghat in Delhi. It was organized by the ministry in collaboration with the Kalinga Motors Sports Club, Odisha to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. The rally will conclude at Yangon in Myanmar on February 24.

Biren also said the government will not tolerate the supply of the substandard pipes to public health engineering department and will conduct a proper investigation regarding that matter. The case will be handed over to the vigilance department and the company involved would be blacklisted.

Regarding the current ceae work strike by the RMSA and SSA teachers, the chief minister said it is unfortunate that these teachers are not getting their salary for months.

Stating that the government will sympathetically consider the situation after the ongoing Budget session, Biren appealed the teachers to withdraw the ongoing agitation.

Minister for consumer affairs, food and public distributionKaram Shyam, additional chief secretary Dr. Suhel Aktar, transport commissioner M. Lakshmikumar Singh, drector of transport Arthur Worchuiyo and others attended the function.