Manipur Legislative Assembly session begins

Our Correspondent

Imphal, July 20 (EMN): Paying respect to the departed souls of four former MLAs including the former chief Minister RK Dorendro and nine landslide victims of Tamenglong district, the 5th Session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly began here on Friday.

In his obituary reference, chief minister N Biren singh recalled and shared his time with the departed former Chief Minister Dorendro while taking up certain issues of the state. Biren also condoled the demise of former Ministers Nongmeikapam Komon Singh (Heirok), Soso Lorho (Mao) and Dr Wakambam Thoiba Singh (Heingang). He also expressed immense grief over the tragic loss of nine precious lives due to a landslide at Tamenglong town recently.

Participating in the obituary reference, the opposition O Ibobi Singh also remembered RK Dorendra as a prominent political figure for the whole NE India for his contribution specifically on foreigner’s issue. Ibobi also shared condolences for the other departed souls.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh and Speaker of the House Khemchand Singh also participated in the day’s obituary reference. Later the house observed a two minute silence in remembrance of the departed souls following a resolution.

Later giving a statement in the house of 60 members, Chief Minister N Biren highlighted the chronological steps taken up by the government on ongoing Manipur University crisis and border pillar number 81 issues in the day’s session. The border pillar 81 was located at the Kwatha Khunou sector of the Indo-Myanmar international boundary under Tengnoupal district of Manipur. He also sought cooperation from all sections in resolving these issues.

While the state chief minister was trying to move the Sixth Report of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), 2018 for passing, the opposition members and senior congress MLAs Gaikhangam, Kh Joykishan Singh and N Loken proposed to review the Sixth Report of the BAC, 2018 to extend sittings of the ongoing session to discuss various issues.

They urged the speaker that two day sessions is not enough time to discuss various impending issues. But speaker Y Khemchand Singh informed the House that the number of sittings were already allocated and therefore members can share their views on the issues in the next sitting and if required the sitting can be extended. Opposition members protested the move and walked out of the assembly one after another.

After introducing the three important bills namely The Manipur People Bill, 2018, The Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 and The Manipur International University Bill, 2018 one by one by chief minister, deputy chief minister and education minister Th Radheshyam, chief minister N Biren also invited the opposition members through the assembly that discussion can take place at any place for the betterment of the people and the state.