Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 20 2009:
Apart from advising Chief Minister O Ibobi to resolve the current impasse in the State, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has also assured that the Centre would extend all possible assistance towards this end.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Govt spokesman and IFCD Minister N Biren said that these instructions were given when the Chief Minister called on the Union Home Minister today at about 5 pm.
The meeting lasted a little over one hour.
During the meeting the Chief Minister highlighted all the major issues confronting Manipur, said Biren adding that Chidambaram has been asking for an update.
The spokesman said that during the meeting, the Union Home Minister expressed deep concern over the prevailing situation in the State, especially the class boycott agitation and advised the Chief Minister to resolve the stand off at the earliest possible.
Referring to the volatile law and order situation in the State, especially in the interiors, the Union Home Minister asked the Chief Minister why the police stations cannot be set up and security arrangements taken up in the remote areas.
At the same time, Chidambaram agreed with the explanation of the Chief Minister that such measures cannot be taken up in full, due to lack of security personnel and the terrain of the interiors.
The Chief Minister also explained that following the instructions of the Centre to beef up security arrangements, the State Govt has started launching a recruitment drive to meet the shortfalls.
The CM added that training for the newly recruited personnel will start by December, said the spokesman, quoting the Chief Minister.
To tighten, as well as strengthen the security arrangements in the State, the Union Home Minister asked the Chief Minister to despatch the DGP and the Home Secretary to Delhi for discussions.
Accordingly, the DGP and the State Home Secretary are likely to leave for Delhi tomorrow, said the Spokesman.