Imphal International Airport to rename as ‘Bir Tikendrajit International Airport’

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, August 27, 2019: Manipur Assembly passed a resolution to rename Imphal International Airport as ‘Bir Tikendrajit International Airport’ on the first day of the 8th session of the 11^th Manipur Legislative Assembly that began on Monday.

The motion was moved by Leader of the house N. Biren Singh. Opposition leader O. Ibobi Singh while supporting the motion suggested the house to send the resolution adopted by the august house to the concerned authority at the earliest.

Responding to a calling attention motion raised by MLA Kh. Joykisan Singh on the death of Ningthoujam Babysana (a class VII student), chief minister Biren (who is in-charge of Home) said the death of Babysana is very unfortunate and has shocked everyone. To ascertain the truth, the government has put its best effort. State government cannot send directly to CBI for taking over the case. To follow the norms for handing over the case to CBI, the state government wrote to DoPT and even sent deputy secretary (Home) personally to DoPT to submit the letter. The intention of the government is very clear, added the chief minister. Leader of opposition, O. Ibobi Singh also suggested, for the CM to pursue to DoPT under PMO. Joykisan demanded the paper be produce in August House if the government has handed over the Babysansa case to CBI.

Responding to another calling attention motion raised by MLA K. Meghachandra Singh on the frequent seizure of contraband drugs and presence of illegal drug manufacturing plants in the state, Biren said to tackle the issue, as a matter of policy, those arrested in connection with drugs be punish publicly so that, it may observe as deterrent and not indulge in drug trafficking in the future. Meghachandra questioned why, ADC chairman Lhukhosei  Zou was given bail after being charge sheeted and his whereabouts still unknown. His case should be given to CBI for investigation. Biren clarified that the government wrote a letter to CBI and Interpol for proclamation and there is no question of charge-sheet being withdrawn.

The session began with obituary reference for the three former members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly namely, Holkhomang Haokip from 57-Henglep (ST) Assembly Constituency, Dr. Mashangthem Horam, from 45-Chingai (ST) Assembly Constituency, M. Chungkhosei, from 59-Saikot (ST) Assembly Constituency and former secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly A. Halim Chowdhury.

Leader of the House, N. Biren Singh while initiating the obituary reference said the untimely demise of Shri Holkhomang Haokip is very unfortunate. He was elected as Member of the house in the year 1972 and was minister (in charge of Revenue, Industries and Tribal Development department). He was elected as MP of the 13^th Lok Sabha election in the year 1999. He was friendly, jolly, soft, mature and prominent person.

Opposition leader O. Ibobi Singh recalled thirty years back, where he was associated with late Holkhomang Haokip during 1985-86. He said he was a man of word, jolly and grass root leader with great personality, possessing an extra ordinary high quality. His death is a great lost for the entire state.  Ibobi further mentioned some of the good woks done by Horam, Chungkhosei and Halim.

Speaker Y. Khemchand moved the resolution that the house expresses grief and sorrow on the demises and also observed 2 minutes silence by standing as mark of respect to the departed souls. Speaker also informed the House that Assembly Secretariat has already sent condolence message on the demise of former Union finance minister Arun Jaitley.

Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly intimated the august House on the Bills which have been given assent by the governor of Manipur. The Bills were the Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2019, the Manipur Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2019, the Manipur Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2019, the Manipur Appropriation (No.5) Bill, 2019, the Manipur Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2019 and the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) (Third Amendment) Bill, 2019.