Mail News Service
Imphal, June 17 : Manipur Assembly today discussed and passed demands for grants for police amounting to Rs 941 cr, for vigilance department an amount of Rs 2.61 cr, for fire protection an amount of Rs 9.11 cr, for Jails Rs 15.29 cr for Home guards Rs 10.68 cr and for rehabilitation Rs 1.24 cr.
During the discussion opposition MLAs, Dr I Ibohalbi, Th Shyamkumar, Samuel Rison, Kh Joykishan, RK Imo, V Alexander Pao demanded major reforms to make police work efficiently. They alleged that indiscipline is growing within the police force, there is lack of expertise in framing charges.
They raised the issue of corruption, improper code of conduct, failure to investigate properly, shortage of forces. The actual need in the state is around 33, 500 police personnel and the available strength is 25,565 personnel. Dr Ibohalbi said there is no meeting point between people and police and he asked the government to make police take up works to reach out to the people. He said the ratio of police to the entire state employees is 40 percent.
Ibohalbi said Police is considered as the rulers’ brigade”, and their task seems to be protecting the ruling elite.
Dr Ibohalbi also raised a call attention regarding sale of reserved land to Assam Rifles. Th Debendra, Minister Revenue said about 160 acres of land at Chandel district was sold to Assam Rifles at Rs 60 lakhs. He said the said land is a reserved land and two officials identified as Ibohal and Ibomcha were suspended. It was also found that an Under Secretary of Tribal department identified as S Nengzhachian had also written a letter approving sale of the land. He said the government is examining if the official had written on his capacity or had taken approval from the concerned minister.
The land located near Kondong Lairembi complex, Moreh was sold to 24 Assam Rifles was a part of Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary and was within the declared reserved forest of the Manipur government.
Devendra said that the land was a part of 184.88 square Km which the then king of Manipur declared as reserved forest area in 1946 after Manipur State Durbar adopted a resolution (No. 11) on April 3, 1946 to declare the same area as reserved forest area.
The area which was declared as reserved forest by the Manipur State Durbar was again declared a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Manipur post Indian independence on October 2, 1991 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary located along Indo-Myanmar
border is home to many species of wild animals including beer, wild pigs, Sambar, monkeys, Burmese peafowl etc., the opposition leader asserted and demanded government to table an action taken report on the matter.
K Sharat raised the issue of a fire that took place at Manipur State road Transport Corporation, Dimapur, Nagaland in which four quarters were gutted by fire. Kh Ratan, Minister Transport said during an enquiry it was found that those staying in the quarters were encroachers. Eviction process is going on however due to a case filed at Dimapur works all works have stopped. He said Manipur government has also cancelled a temporary arrangement to take care of the complex entrusted to two agencies as the matter was not taken up before Manipur Cabinet. Kh Ratan said the incident occured on June 5
As per the agreement with Nagaland government MSRTC complex could not be leased out which was violated by Manipur as it was leased out to two agencies , viz MS Northern enterprises and Achui Enterprises on August 1, 2007. After Manipur Chief Minister intervened Nagaland agreed to cancel allotments done to seven individuals however one of them had filed a case.
During question hour Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister Health informed that State Medical council will be formed soon. Nunghlung Victor was informed that estimated cost of 50-bedded hospital at Chandel Headquarters was revised and is expected to be completed by December 31 next year.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/assembly-discusses-police-land-issues/
