Imphal: Leader of the House and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assured the Manipur Legislative Assembly Thursday that his government will not succumb to any pressure on issues concerning the boundary of the state.
Replying to a calling attention motion raised by Opposition member K.Ranjit Singh on the reported ban of entry of Mao villagers to Nagaland by Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO), the Chief Minister said the issue is a very sensitive one and the government is trying to solve it with commitment.
He said the dispute in the Kozuru area near Dzuko Valley is an important issue, and the state government has been trying to solve it without disturbing the relationship with the neighbouring state of Nagaland.
He continued that an order was issued on December 13, 2020, and thereafter a security barrack at Kozuru was constructed with the deployment of state forces. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland have been informed about the banning of Mao villagers from entering Nagaland by SAPO, and they assured that they would take all steps to stop such activities. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also been notified, and the MHA has assured the public that full proof security will be provided, he added.
Terming the incidents of burning vehicles and beating people of Manipur in Nagaland as unfortunate, the chief minister said the government is closely monitoring the situation round the clock and all efforts will be put in place to avoid any untoward incidents.
To make it easier for people to visit Nagaland, a bus service from Mao to Dimapur via Peren District of Nagaland has been introduced. Mao market has also been opened in different locations of Imphal city so as to enable people of Mao area to sell their products.
He stated that the people of Mao, particularly Mao MLA L.Dikho, have been supportive of the government’s actions. Through the August House, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the MLAs and the people.
K. Ranjit Singh called the House’s attention to the motion, urging the state government to take concrete steps to protect the people of Mao from SAPO’s illegal pressure.
Forest Environment and Climate Change Minister, Th. Biswajit Singh, informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly Thursday that steps have been taken to stop the illegal burning of forest in the hills. Responding to a question raised by K. Ranjit Singh, the Minister said, 14,699.04 hectares of reserved forest were burned down from January 2019 to January this year. Six people have been arrested, and the trial is on.
Replying to another question raised by Ngursanglur Sanate MLA, the Minister said the department is trying to open a forest beat office in Pherzawl to check illegal hunting and poaching activities. Forest personnel will be deployed, especially during October and December, to check on the hunting of the Amur falcon, a migratory bird coming to the district.
Replying to another question raised by K. Ranjit, Agriculture Minister Th. Biswajit Singh said under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, organic farming has been practiced in 11,500 hectares of land in the state. Under the mission, financial assistance for procuring organic inputs has been given to the farmers.
Replying to another question raised by Ram Muivah MLA Ukhrul, Th. Biswajit Singh, who is in-charge of power, said five villages, namely Ronshak, Sahamphung, Roni, Khayang, and Phungtha, have been electrified through off-grid mode by photovoltaic modules by MANIREDA since 2017-2018. He stated that once the planned 33/11 kV Sahamphung substation is operational, these villages will be electrified via grid mode.
CAF&PD Minister L. Sushindro Meitei informed the House that steps have been taken to start procuring locally produced rice for distribution under NFSA.
In response to Surjakumar Okram MLA’s question, the Minister stated that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has been tasked with developing the necessary procurement and milling infrastructure, including an online procurement portal. He said two rice mills will be imported from Germany, and the required land has been developed for their installation at Sangaiprou.
The government is planning to procure 30,000 metric tonnes of rice once the required infrastructure and equipment are ready. The Minister, who is also in charge of PHED, said that steps have been taken to ensure the full functioning of the Ramrei Water Supply Scheme. He was replying to a question raised by Ram Muivah, MLA.
