IMPHAL, July 27: A lengthy meeting of the state cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister at his official bungalow has approved the summoning of the 11th Session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly and a one year extension of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Kuki militants and the MoU signed with the underground KCP (MC) Lalumba faction.
In a post cabinet meeting pres conference called at his official quarter, senior cabinet minister and SPF spokesperson N Biren informed that the state cabinet which was held this afternoon has decided to summoned the Monsoon session starting from August 24 next month and will be having three days sitting.
He further mentioned that, the state cabinet considering the positive responses from various quarters in terms of maintaining law and order in the state in the aftermath of the signing of SoO with the Kuki militants and the MoU with one of the valley based group KCP (MC) Lalumba faction, both of which will end next month, the state cabinet in its sitting today approved for the extension of the period of SoO for Kuki militants and MoU for the KCP Lalumba faction by another one year, he added.
Further briefing the mediaprsons, N Biren elaborated that after taking serious note of the desire of the KCP (MC) Lalumba group to join the security forces, the state government has officially intimidated the central home ministry on the issue and is currently waiting for an approval from the centre.
Further touching upon the UNC and its alternative arrangement demands, he further announced that the state cabinet has decided to defer any call for second round of tripartite talks from the UNC as the state is not in any position to fulfill most of the demands made by the Naga apex body during their last meet.
In another agenda concerning the hill districts, today’s state cabinet has decided to conduct repoll at the remaining 10 polling stations including eight at Senapati and another two in Ukhrul district by October this year, stated the SPF spokesperson.
He further mentioned that the state cabinet has approved for the creation of a separate state disaster response force in the state to tackle any incidents of natural disasters in the state.
Furthermore, the cabinet has also decided to approve all the demands of the bereaved families of the MR and IRB personnel who died during their line of duty along the NH 53, when a stone boulder had unexpectedly fall upon their vehicle, killing six of them on the spot while another succumbed on his way to the hospital.
Elaborating on the demands of the bereaved families, he stated that the government has decided to provide pension benefits to three of the families, while befitting jobs will be provided to relatives of three of the victims. The government has also decided that it is keen to provide any befitting government job equivalent to that of a havildar to a family member of the victim havildar, he dded.
In the meantime with the main objective of providing any election related information to the people of the state in regards to the ensuing 10th Assembly election, the state government has decided to open six call centres in the state.
Further regarding the issue of expansion of existing Imphal Hotel to the status of a five star hotel, the government has decided to approved to allot the existing government oil pump at North AOC to the state tourism department.