Heavy artilleries with range of 25 kms installed at Sajik Tampak, road construction of Sajik-Chakpi taken up
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 29:
Ostensibly to facilitate movement of troops and men and material, the army authority has begun the process of constructing the road connecting Chakpi Karong to Sajik Tampak while a Lt Colonel of the Army Engineer Corps has met Additional Chief Secretary Saichhuanna, who is also the Secretary of Works Dept, to seek the State Govt's help in constructing other approach roads to Sajik Tampak.
According to another reliable source, the army has installed heavy artilleries at Sajik Tampak that have a range of upto 25 kms.
A heavy offensive may be initiated after the whole poll process is finalised, added the source.
Discussions have already been held at New Delhi in January and February this year whether the co-operation of the Myanmarese authority would be sought when a crack down is launched at Sajik Tampak, added the source.
Speaking to The Sangai Express a well placed source said that in view of the offensives launched by the security forces against the rebel groups at Sajik Tampak, the army authority has set its eyes on improving the surface communication between Sajik Tampak and Chakpi Karong.
Moreover the army has also approached the Works Secretary to extend their cooperation in their endeavor to construct the approach roads to Sajik from other points.
Towards this end, a Lt Colonel of the Army Engineer Corps called on the Works Secretary today.
Even as the army authority has started the construction work of the road connecting Sajik Tampak to Chakpi Karong, the State Government is also set to construct a number of Jeepable roads leading to Sajik from other points.
However the State Govt has made it clear that due to the financial constraint it will not be able to construct pucca roads.
Other than roads, the army authority has also approached the State Govt to ensure power supply and potable water to Sajik Tampak, all with an eye to making the offensive more convenient, said the source.
On the other hand, Chief Minister O Ibobi is still sticking to his guns and maintaining that no operation with the knowledge of the State Government is underway at Sajik Tampak.
Speaking to the media at his office chamber today, the Chief Minister said that as far as the State Government is concerned, there is no counter insurgency operation being launched at Sajik Tampak.
Explaining his points, the Chief Minister said that additional troops were deployed in Manipur for the 14th LokSabha election and the increased activities of the security force at Sajik Tampak may have been to blunt the rebels' strength in view of the Lok Sabha elections.
The Chief Minister further said that majority of the Central troops and paramilitary forces were deployed in the vicinity of Sajik Tampak as the primary objective of the Election Commission of India was to ensure a free and fair poll in the face of the diktats imposed by a number of underground outfits.
On the reported displacement of a number of villagers due to the confrontation between the security forces and the rebels, the Chief Minister said that there is not a single camp that can be recognized as a refugee camp by the Government.
This is according to the report submitted by the DC concerned, he clarified.
To a question, Ibobi assured that his Government will not remain silent if the civil population suffers any casualties due to the ongoing conflict between the army and the militants at Sajik Tampak.
Relief material would be immediately provided to such affected villagers, he stressed.
Ibobi further said that the Chief Secretary has been instructed to give a detailed account of any sufferings endured by the villagers of the area.
The DC of Chandel has also been asked to submit his report, he added.
To another question, the Chief Minister replied that till date the army authority has not intimated any report of the situation at Sajik Tampak to the State Government.
The State Government has also not been approached to extend any help, he elaborated.
Touching on other points, the Chief Minister said that it is the duty of the Centre to protect the 350 km long international border that Manipur shares with Myanmar.
In the absence of any fencing and security posts along the border, it is very easy for militants and drug smugglers to move in and out through the border, he pointed out.
No concrete work has been taken up to fence the border along Myanmar, he rued.
It would be wrong for the Centre to ignore the militancy movement being launched in the State, said Ibobi and added that Delhi ought to see if a political solution can be worked out with the militant groups, who are waging a war for the sovereignty of Manipur.
The State Government is forever ready to extend its co-operation to any such initiative taken up by the Centre, he assured.
Not withstanding the lack of transparency on the offensive being launched at Sajik Tampak, sources have pointed out that the army have been deployed at Sajik area under strict instructions from the Centre.