IMPHAL, Feb 8 (MNS/NNN): Manipur Cabinet today took serious note of the alleged ‘hate speech’ by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and expressed apprehension about the adverse impact of his political speech on inter-state and inter-ethnic relations and on communal harmony.
A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi was held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat here this afternoon during which the meeting condemned the statement of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio that Ibobi was one of the biggest enemies of the Nagas at an election rally at Zunheboto in Dimapur on February 6, M Okendro, Education minister and the state Government spokesperson, told journalists after the meeting at his office chamber in the New Secretariat this evening.
It also decided that the state Home Department should convey the state Government’s concern to Ministry of Home Affairs and Election Commission of India for such irresponsible and provocative public statement of Neiphiu Rio and that such statement should be avoided in the larger public interest, he said.
The Cabinet meeting discussed 16 different agenda among which it approved the declaration by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways three state Highways of Manipur as National Highways.
The three National Highways are the NH-102 B starting from Churachandpur on NH-2 connecting Singhat, Sinzawal, Tuivai road and terminating at Myanmar road in the state, NH-102 A, the highway starting from Tadubi on NH-2 connecting Paomata and terminating at Ukhrul on NH-202 and NH-137, the highway starting from Rengpang on NH-37, Khongsang and terminating at Tamenglong.
The Cabinet also approved for recruitment of 44 Section Officers (SOs) for PWD. It also approved to pay land compensation to the land owners of the NH-53 where rail line is being developed besides appointment of contract staff for National Vector Borne Disease Department.
It further approved to implement the MoU signed between the state Government and organization of work-charged employees of five engineering departments in the state.
The Cabinet also approved to increase the Dearness Allowance given to the state Government employees to 65 percent from the present 58 percent.
It also approved to pay an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh and another Government job to the family of Laishram Ibohanbi, a head Constable in Manipur Police. He was found dead at Fins Corner in Ukhrul district on January 3.
Meanwhile, Advocate Khaidem Mani today dubbed the statement of Nagaland Chief Minister Neipiu Rio that Manipur Chief Minister was one of the biggest enemies of the Nagas as a “hate speech.”
“Neiphiu Rio could be booked and sentenced to five years jail term under IPC for his alleged communal remarks that might spark tensions between the people of the two neighboring states”, advocate Khaidem Mani told journalists at the Cheirap Court complex here.
He said, “Such statement is hated by responsible citizens and also they always condemn it.”
It was an attempt of Rio to create enmity between the 34 different communities of Manipur and that of Nagaland, Khaidem Mani alleged, terming the statement as a non-political statement but an incitement of hostility between the two states.
Khaidem Mani said, “The Nagaland Chief Minister can be booked and sentenced to five years jail term under IPC 153-A for his hate speech. It is a non-bailable offence and non-compoundable offence as well.”
Chief Minister Rio had stated during an election rally at Zunheboto in Dimapur, Nagaland on February 6 that Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi was one of the biggest enemies of the Nagas and that he was responsible for suppression of the Nagas in Manipur.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cabinet-condemns-rios-statement/
