Imphal, November 21: In an eventful ministerial team tour underground organizations were blamed for hampering State development programmes while a Thoubal police station commando has been placed under suspension for severely bashing up an innocent person on mere suspicion.

The ministerial team comprised of PHE Minister K Govindas, Agriculture Minister and Sugnu kendra MLA K Ranjit and Planning & Vigilance MoS N Biren.

Addressing a public meeting at Sugnu Bazar after inspecting the water supply schemes there today, Govindas charged activists of underground organization of interfering in development works.

Rather than help the public in overcoming their grievances the UGs exert pressure on Govt officials to corner contract works with subsequent result much below expectation - in other sense no has been made progress at all, he said.

He cited Wabagai to Sugnu stretch road as a glaring example of the militant groups being a stumbling block as work order for the same has been extorted by a particular underground outfit after which no progress was made.

Assuring supply of water pipes by November 24, Govindas declared that the Wapokpi Water Supply Scheme will be operational within December month.

Continuing tirade against the UGs, N Biren said intervention of members of armed outfits has confused the general public besides hindering development programmes.

For a prosperous Manipur, the SPF Government is making all effort despite limitation and K Ranjit is playing no mean role towards the endeavor, stated Biren.

In his speech, the Agriculture Minister said contractors are reluctant to get involved in contract work while suppliers are similarly shying off due to involvement of underground elements in the matter.

Referring to the Wabagai-Sugnu road he said, if the public desires identity of which outfit had extracted the work order could be made public.

Ranjit went on to state that under the leadership of O Ibobi Singh renovation of Sugnu Police station is under the purview of the SPF Govt and process is underway to revoke suspension of two doctors of Sugnu PHSC.

It is pertinent to mention that they were placed under suspension for alleged dereliction of duty when their services were not available for treatment of patients suffering from gun wounds following a shoot-out between underground members and the CRPF personnel some months back at Sugnu.

The ministerial team also inspected the water supply schemes at Kakching-Khunou, Korshantabi and Wangoo being taken up under Accelerated Urban Water Supply programme with Centre-State share ratio of 50-50.Prior to the visit, public-police tension prevailed at Wangoo when a commando team of Thoubal police arrested and allegedly thrashed one RK Shambhu (22) s/o (L) Achouba.

As soon as K Ranjit was notified on the matter he sent his escort party to rescue the reportedly innocent man and informed Thoubal SP to ascertain facts for appropriate action.

Press sources informed that a personnel has been placed under suspension.

Along the tour route, Chairel public complained of non-distribution of rabi seeds to deserving farmers despite being collecting the same by some vested interest.

Minister Ranjit assured proper action to address the farmer's grievances.

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