UNC's boycott call fails to ruffle CM's composure
Ibobi cocks a snook at boycott call
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 09 2010: Undeterred by the United Naga Council's boycott call against his proposed visit to the Orange Festival at Tamenglong, as the chief guest, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has finalised his trip to Tamenglong.

Even a helicopter to take Ibobi to Tamenglong has been requisitioned.

The Chief Minister presided a meeting of the unified command (combined headquarters) this morning.

The meeting attended by the Chief Secretary, the DGP and top officers of Army, Assam Rifles and CRPF deliberated on UNC's boycott call against the Chief Minister proposed visit to Tamenglong, informed an official source.

CM Ibobi in one of his rare stern moods directs and previous years Orange Fest (File pics)

Endorsing its decision of severing all ties with the State Government, the UNC had asked the people of Tamenglong district, more precisely Naga people not to welcome any Ministers or MLAs of the State Government in Naga dominated areas.

The UNC categorically asked the Zeliangrong people of Tamenglong district not to invite Chief Minister O Ibobi to the 7th State level Orange Festival scheduled to be held at Tamenglong district headquarters on December 11 and 12 .

The unified command meeting held today ahead of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's visit to the State on December 14 resolved that the Chief Minister should not be deterred by the UNC's boycott call and that he should go ahead with the scheduled visit.

Along with this decision, Assam Rifles and Police have been asked to take up extra security measures for the Chief Minister's visit to Tamenglong.

Moreover, the Home Department has also requisitioned a helicopter from the Indian Air Force to take Chief Minister Ibobi to the Orange Festival.

The unified command meeting presided by the Chief Minister also reviewed the prevailing law and order situation of the State ahead of the Union Home Minister's visit to Imphal.

The Home Minister is expected to arrive here at 2.30 pm of December 14.Soon after his arrival, P Chidambaram will hold an interaction session with selected College students at Raj Bhavan.

This would be followed by a review meeting about the security situation of Manipur.

The next day, the Home Minister will hold a meeting with public leaders at Raj Bhavan before taking a trip to Loktak Lake by helicopter.

From there, he would go to Churachandpur and hold a meeting with public leaders there.

On the other hand, a preparatory meeting was held this evening with the Chief Secretary in the chair in connection with the Union Home Minister's scheduled visit.

During his two day visit to the State, the Union Home Minister would also discuss with public leaders about possibilities of initiating peace talk with UNLF Chairman Sana Yaima alias RK Meghen who is currently under custody of the National Investigative Agency (NIA) in safe house at New Delhi.

It is reported that the NIA has been questioning and exerting strong pressure on Sana Yaima to accept the Government of India's offer for peace talk.

Meanwhile, a team of PWD engineers led by the Chief Engineer would be visiting Imphal-Jiribam highway tomorrow to take stock of the highway development work being undertaken by the BRO.

The PWD engineers would compile a detail report and submit the same to the Union Minister, added the source.