Imphal, June 04 2010: While claiming that the local body elections in hill districts have been conducted successfully, Chief Minister O Ibobi today asserted that the successful conduct of the poll is the triumph of democratic practice of the government.

Addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister's Secretariat this evening, Chief Minister Ibobi rejected the demands of some sections of the hill people not to deploy state security forces, like IRB and police commandos in their respective areas.

He said that the state force will be deployed at any place within the state whenever it's necessery.

The elections to the District Councils in the hill districts were conducted as the government is determined to deliver a meaningful democratic right to the people of the hill areas at the grass root level, the Chief Minister said giving reasons why the government was bent on conducting the elections in spite of objection from certain sections of the society.

The successful conduct of the District Council elections in two phases even though some poll-related violent incidents occured is a triumph of the state government.

Voters coming out despite threats issued by certain organisations was also a victory of the democratic practice of the government, he said.

"The voters' participation shows that the people of the state have full faith in democracy, and they take it as an important duty and task," the Chief Minister opined.

Regarding the violent incidents at Ukhrul town on the night of June 2 in which some security personnel with their arms were detained by the mob, the Chief Minister clarified that it erupted from the imposition of curfew by the district administration all of a sudden with a view to maintaining law and order, and in a bid to enforce the same by the security forces.

"The district administration acted against the agitators/strikers with utmost restraint," the Chief Minister said adding that the state security force acted knowing the sentiments of all sections of the society.

He also expressed regret for the violent incident at Ukhrul town on the night of June 2 asserting that the incident occurred out of misunderstanding between the public and the security forces on the promulgation of restriction under section 144 of CrPC by the district administration.

There was no instance of offering apology by the DC of the district or surrendering of IRB to the mob.

Women were in the front and backed by men.

Security forces had to take utmost care, and the arms in hands could not be used even though the mob broke the law and order of the area, he said.

The Chief Minister further said that there was also shortage of manpower in the district police as some groups of IRB deployed there had already left for reinforcement at Jessami.

Clarifying on the demand of some sections of the hill people not to deploy state security force like IRB and police commandos in the hill areas, Ibobi said that nobody can stop when the government deploys its forces anywhere when the need arises.

"Whether it may be in the valley or hill areas, IRB and police commandos will be deployed, if necessary," he said.

Government has decided to conduct fresh polls in some of the polling stations where state election commission recommended for the same in two phases on June 11 and June 16 next, the chief minister said.

Out of the 155 polling stations in Tamenglong district, it can be mentioned here polling was conducted only in 80 polling stations.

Polling could not be conducted in 35 polling stations as polling personnel could not reached to their respective polling stations due to obstruction like blocking of roads that they were to take in reaching the stations.

The Chief Minister once again reiterated that the Act that governs the District Council was not enacted by force.

It was passed after due consideration with the 20 MLAs from hill areas.

The MLAs had thoroughly discussed the bill before tabling and passing by the house of the state Assembly.

Any objectionable if found in the provisions of the Act, the same can be amended; he said reiterating government appeal to withdraw the economic blockade to the agitating groups.

Government had invited ANSAM for talk around two week back but they are yet to return reply to the government invitation.

Government is not remaining silent as police is taking up action against imposition of blockade.

Four volunteers of ANSAM, all from Senapati district had been rounded up.

Two of them were in the custody of the Kangpokpi police while the rest two were in Imphal police station, the chief minister informed.

Government could not provide adequate security escort to the freight trucks on the highway due to heavy engagement of state forces in the poll duty.

Now, the poll over and ferry of essential commodities on the NH-53 will be started with security escort in full swing to replenish the shortage stocks, the chief minister said.

Today itself, around 400 empty trucks have proceeded to Jiribam via Silchar to procure essential commodities.

The security escorts escorting the empty trucks will be backed with around 615 goods laden trucks now stranded at Jiribam, the chief minister informed.

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