Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, AUGUST 17
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]anipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh said that United Naga Council (UNC)’s demand for the Alternative Arrangement (AA) for Nagas in Manipur as ‘next to impossible’.
The chief minister said this while addressing the Independence Day yesterday amid tight security and a boycott call given by CorCom, a conglomerate of major militant outfits in the state.
State Government celebrated the 68th Independence Day at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground here. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh unfurled the Tricolour at the solemn function which was participated by different march past contingents. The CM inspected the parade and took salute at the march past.
The prestigious President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to two officers of Manipur Police and Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service to seven Manipur Police Officers on the occasion.
In his speech at the event, the CM stated that the state Government wants to impose Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur, a growing demand of the public.He said the state Government has been continuously raising the demand with the Centre, apart from taking resolutions on the issue on two occasions in the state legislative assembly.
Ibobi appealed to the public, intellectuals and the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) to work together and decide the viability on implementation of the system in the state, he said.
He, however, said people who are spearheading the ILP movement are misguiding women and young students by dragging them into the issue.
“It’s really unfortunate that ILP agitators are misleading the women and students,” Ibobi said.
The CM appealed to the JCILPS to sit together and find ways to resolve the issue.
Referring to deployment of heavy security personnel in Ukhrul district, Ibobi made it very clear that the move solely aims to maintain law and order in the district.
As to the Alternative Arrangement demanded by the United Naga Council (UNC), the CM deemed it to “almost next to impossible.”
The march past was presented by contingents, 36 in all, and nine band platoons.
Moirangthem Mubi Singh, Deputy Commandant, Second Battalion, Manipur Rifles was awarded with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
Kom Nando Karung, Havildar, Second Battalion, Manipur Rifles; Hidangmayum Rameshwar Sharma, Inspector, Imphal West District; Sagolsem Brojendro Singh, Constable, CID(CB), Imphal; Md Feroz Khan, Commandant, Sixth India reserve Battalion, Pangei; Kiangsu Anthony, Sub-Inspector, Reserve Office to SP tamenglong District; Acche Kumar Pradhan, Havildar, Second Battalion, Manipur Rifles were awarded with the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
