Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 27 2009:
Government is planning to install CCTV (Close-Circuit Television) in the crowded market areas in Imphal city, said chief minister, O Ibobi Singh who is also looking after the home portfolio in the House of the Manipur Assembly during the discussion for passing Manipur Appropriation bill, 2009 .
The bill related with the expenditure incurred by the home department in the last eight months in maintaining law and order of the state and security provisions on the national highways in the state.
The chief minister made point by point clarification on the cut motion of the opposition members mostly related with the maintenance of law and order situation in the state particularly with reference to the activities of the militants in the greater Imphal areas.
He said government is planning to install CCTV for surveillance in areas on the movement of the anti-social elements and extortion activities of the militants.
Government also procured sophisticated weapons to detect origin of the mobile callers to check extortion activities of the militants.
Militants are extorting money from the businessmen, officials and individuals using mobile phone, the chief minister said.
The installation works will start at the earliest, the chief minister stressing the immediate need of the installation of the equipment to check the alarmingly increasing extortion activities of the militants.
In reply to a cut motion of the opposition, chief minister said government is imparting training to its security personnel from time to time to suit with time and able to handle latest sophisticated weapons.
To give them more comprehensive training on weapons handling and discipline, government is planning to upgrade the existing Manipur Police Training School at Pangei in Imphal east district at the level of a college and to set up another training school at Jiribam of the same district.
Government has released Rs 10 crore for land acquisition and infrastructure development as first installment, he added.
Despite the protection by the security forces the entire stretch, militants operating both hills and valley areas of the state are extorting money on the two important highways -39, 53 and 150 - at various points, the chief minister informed the House.
Central security forces like Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF and state police are deploying at various points along the NH-39 (right from Imphal to Mao gate and 53 (from Patsoi in Impha west to Jiribam) for area domination, he said.
Government is trying its best to curb the extortion menaces on these highways the chief minister said adding that regarding the matter state is communicating frequently with the Centre through Union ministry of home affairs and also asked the neighbouring state Nagaland and Assam to cooperate each other in dealing with the extortionists.