Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, May 21 : Joining the country in the observance of “Anti-Terrorism Day” on Tuesday, Manipur Government and the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee organized functions here to mark the day.
Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam shared the dais during the function held at the Secretariat South Block. The participants pledged that any element which threatens life and its values would be dealt firmly.
Anti-Terrorism Day commemorates the day when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi died. Gandhi died on this day in 1999.
They also vowed to maintain peace and harmony and work hard towards bringing understanding among people, and to decisively counter terrorism with all might by upholding the principles of non-violence and endurance of the nation.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Ibobi stated that terrorism brings nothing while appealing the underground organisations to solve problems through dialogue.
At the same time, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) also observed the Anti-Terrorism Day at the Congress Bhavan here.Ibobi, Gaikhangam, ministers and Congress workers paid floral tribute at the photo of Rajiv.
Later, briefing the media after the function, the Chief Minister said that there were no differences between the Government and the people with regard to introduction of Inner Line Permit in the state.
The Government has been putting pressure on the Central leadership on the demand, but that it will be considered as anti-social move if the ILP demand committee decides to disallow non-Manipuris in the state.
“The Government will never permit and remain as silent spectator if such illegal steps are taken,” he vowed and added that Manipuris in other states could face the same fate.
He, however, suggested the committee to work together in the drive to identify foreigners in the state.
Making a clarification on the recent eviction drive carried out in Kabo Leikai here, Ibobi said the drive was part of the Government’s decision to upgrade Hotel Imphal to a 5-star hotel status.
He made it clear that residents in the locality failed to produce their original patta documents in the court and it was carried out after three years of assessment.
Although no compensation is given to land owned by the Government, it had already paid Rs 9 crore as compensation for all the standing properties in the area on humanity ground, he added.
Saying that the Government has never violated the legitimate rights of the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and minority, he appealed to the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) to withdraw the bandh and blockade being imposed over the quota issue in the interest of the public.
Ibobi further said the Government always gives quota to the ST, SC and minority and it is also trying to provide more facilities to them in future.
I.R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State in the Home Affairs administered the oath to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions in North Block this morning.
The Day is observed to generate awareness in the country among all sections of people about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effect on the people, the society and the country as a whole.
The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the youth from the terrorist/violence cult by highlighting the suffering of the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest. These objectives are aimed to be achieved by organizing debates/discussions in schools, colleges and universities; holding of symposia/seminars, lectures, etc. on the dangers of terrorism & violence and a determined and sustained drive to bring about a mass awakening against terrorism and violence.
Rajeev Shukla Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affair today administered the Anti-Terrorism Oath to the Officers and Staff of the Planning Commission in YojanaBhawan on the occasion of the Martyrdom Day of Rajiv Gandhi.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/anti-terrorism-day-observed-cm-airs-views-on-eviction-ilp/
