Imphal, January 03 2008: The Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio has claimed that other than threat and intimidation served through the telephone (mobile phones) security dragnets placed by the State Government has been able to keep underground elements beyond the limit of the capital city.

Healso expressed solidarity with the suffering of the people saying the vicious cycle of violence people of manipur are being en-snarled into is due to unavoidable circumstances accummulated since the past many decades.

In his inaugural address at the one day City District Workers' Conference of the Congress party at GM Hall here today, the Chief Minister disclosed of the prime Minister and Union Home Minister keeping close tap on the law and order situation of the State in the wake of removal of the controversial Armed Forces' Special Power Act 1958 from the seven assembly segments of twin capital districts.

Insisting that AFSPA was removed taking into account sentiment of the people, he also contended that Central leaders had been constantly inquiring on the prevailing situation as certain elements with vested interest had been feeding misleading information of prominent individuals providing shelter to UG cadres at the 'protected zones'.

In response to the inquisitive perception of the Central leaders the State Government had pointed the fact that with the exception of using modern communication gadgets such as the mobile phones security arrangements placed in and around the city had been able to prevent intrusion of disruptive elements into the city limits, claimed the CM.

Citing existing law and order uncertainty in the State as the main factor of the people enduring severe hardships, O Ibobi also conceded that inevitability of the Government to ensure that the situation do not go out of hand leads to incidents of undesired consequences at times.

with certain section of the society making it a point to converge at the capital city to air their grievances whenever crackdowns by security forces culminate in unwanted consequences, there had been occasions when the law enforcing agencies have to act accordingly to maintain law and order, he explained.

As a measure to sustain mobility in the city areas security barricades are being placed at the exterior of the capital city including as Lamlong and Lilong as the Government is determined to ensure citizens carry on with their normal chores.

he also highlighted that many protest rallies and demonstrations that attempt to storm into the capital city subsequently subsides/wanes after responsible security officials as well as local representatives (MLAs) explain to the demonstrators the real cause and circumstances why security forces had to eliminate individual/s for which the public raise hue and cry.

Dwelling on some of the development programmes initiated by the SPF Govt particularly in Imphal areas, he pointed to the Imphal Sewerage project which is being planned for completion within February as necessary instructions have been issued to top officials of the PHED, Telecom and PWD at a joint meeting.

Ibobi, who is into his second term as CM, also informed that discussions are underway with a consultant group to work out an effective drainage system so as to prevent frequent inundation of important locations within the city.

He claimed that in a week's time a definite work programme would be worked out for the drainage system while adding that another project with an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore would be put in place to lay underground power cables.

Moreover, plans are afoot to protect Nambul river, flowing through the city, from being turned into a dumping place which is turn would ensure preservation of the Loktak Lake, he mentioned.

Listing provision of hygienic drinking water at every headquarters of the hill districts and development of roads as top-most priority of the Government for which he claimed adequate fund had been earmarked, the Chief Minister further said similar initiatives are being made for the sub-divisional headquarters.

Regarding provision of basic amenities in the valley areas, he conveyed that talks have been held with PHED authorities for supply of one hour each of water in the morning and evening everyday in addition to constant touch with Power Department officials for extending 7/8 dedicated power lines to pump drinking water at the seven assembly segments of Imphal districts.

Stressing on completion of black-topping of most roads within the capital city ahead of the monsoon season, he also pointed out that to prevent flood during rainy season a specific project of about Rs 40 crore is in the pipeline for construction of permanent retaining wall of Imphal river banks from Salanthong upto Canchipur (MU) .

Retaining wall of the remaining portion of the river banks would be covered in the second phase, he added.

Thanking electorates of seven assembly segments out of eight scattered in the Imphal districts for electing Congress candidates, the CM also affirmed that Congress party agenda mentioned in the election manifesto of the previous poll which are yet to be implemented would be reviewed for total implementation ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary election.

O Ibobi also appealed to the people to have faith in the Congress party and elect its nominees from both the Parliamentary seats.

Speaking at the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Rishang keishing emphasised that focus need to be on strengthening the Congress organisation when the party is in power.

Noting that out of 20 assembly seats spread in the hill districts Congress candidates were elected in only five, the former Chief Minister also lamented that the remaining seats were bagged by candidates supported by armed groups.

He exhorted all concerned to not allow armed elements dictate terms or decide fate of the people at the next elections.

Among others, Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya, MPCC president Gaikhangam and Congress party MLAs also addressed the conference.

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