Imphal, April 07: Union Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju has stated that the Army has been maintaining its �zero tolerance policy� to avoid any collateral damage while conducting its operations.

"On the other hand, there should be no human rights violations while discharging their duties," the Minister said in an exclusive chat with The Sangai Express at the office premises of 25 Battalion BRTF at Lamphelpat this evening.

On being asked about frequent and number of allegations that there are rampant violation of human rights by personnel of the Central security forces operating in Manipur under the shadow of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, the Defence Minister said there should be no such violations and asserted that the guilty personnel could not evade reach from the long arms of the law.

"We are very strict on such matter concerning human rights violations," he maintained.

When asked if the Centre has an explicit plan to hold a dialogue with the underground organisations in the State by way of setting up a third party from the people�s representatives, the Minister said the door is always open for them (UG groups) for holding a meaningful dialogue to bring about peace and development in the region in general and Manipur in particular.

Commenting on his visit to Manipur, the Minister said he is on a North east tour since April 4 to assess progress of road construction programme being undertaken by the Border Road Task Force (BRTF).

He further disclosed that a new scheme christened �Special Accelerated Road Development Programme' (ARDP) extending to a whooping 7604 kilometres in the region has been passed for implementation by the Union Cabinet.

The proposed project at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crores would be sanctioned by the Prime Minister�s Office, Pallam Raju said adding that the primary objective of taking up the programme is to make good roadways in the region so as to boost the economy.

Maintaining that good road infrastructure would be of tremendous help in augmenting the economy, the Minister said, �we don�t want the North Eastern region missing in the nation�s economic growth�.

Having noticed that some miscreants disrupted the work process of BRTF, the Minister appealed to all concerned to extend all possible co-operation in the development of the road networks.

The Minister also informed that a total staff strength of 5700 would be recruited shortly in the Border Road Organisation to enhance its manpower.

The Minister accompanied by Director General of BRO Lt Gen KS Rao also held meeting with four Ministers and State Chief Secretary at Imphal to discuss the ongoing road construction being executed by the BRTF and the upcoming ARDP today at Imphal.

Later he was briefed by BRTF Chief Engineer (Sewak Project) Brigadier BD Pandey at the premises of 25 BRTF, Lamphelpat.

Interacting with The Sangai Express, Pandey said project Sewak, one of the oldest projects of the BRO was raised in July 1961 primarily for development of roads in Nagaland and Manipur which are highly disturbed by the insurgency movement.

He also spoke at length about the yeomen services rendered by the BRTF personnel and officers when people requested for immediate need to establish/provide road connectivity.

Among such services, the BRTF official recalled the expeditious construction of the dilapidated Irang bridge along the National Highway-53 during the 52-day long economic blockade imposed by the Naga student body ANSAM during 2005.

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