IMPHAL, September 15: State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio and Director General of Police M K Das today visited Shija hospital and checked on the construction workers of Kolkata based Simplex Company who were injured during the powerful bomb blast on September 13.
The Home Minister later when asked by the media on the increasing number of bomb attacks in the state said that the militant outfits could be getting desperate as the number of militant outfits laying down arms has been increasing.
The Home Minister and the state DGP later visited the under construction Secretariate complex, Chingmeirong where other workers of the Simplex Company are presently stationed.
Meanwhile, one of the four injured persons being treated at the Shija Hospital is stated to be in a serious condition.
The four labourers undergoing treatment at the Shija Hospital are identified as Md Burhan Ali (25), son of Mugbal Hassan of Kamrup Assam; Md Babul Ali (24), son of Lukanal Ali of Goalpara Assam, both undergoing treatment at Neuro ICU; Md Shamsual Hauqe (18), son of Md Amishul Rahaman of Kamrup Assam who is undergoing treatment at the general surgery ward and Lakban Ali (21), son of Md Sanjab Ali of Kamrup Assam undergoing treatment at the General Ward.
Replying to queries on his recent visit to the national capital along with the Chief Minister, Gaikhangam said that they were unable to meet the Prime Minister due to his busy schedule, while the Union Home Minister was out of station.
As such they met with the Home Secretary and discussed about various development works taken up in the state, he said.
However, the main discussion of the meeting was on the census report which is also a serious issue confronting the state, he expressed. While the population growth rate of the state is stated to be around 20-30 percent, the growth rate of the three sub-divisional blocks of Paomata, Mao-Maram and Tadubi were found to be around 100 percent and above, which is quite un-imaginable, he elaborated.
The census report needs proper and careful checking as a simple mistake could lead to economic discouragement while implementing government schemes and programmes and at the same time hard to provide economic justice to the people, he continued.
Coming to the border fencing issue, the state Dy CM said the centre has already sent an official letter to the Myanmar government to resolve the issue at the earliest and the reply is awaited.
Acknowledging the issue to be of sensitive nature, he said the issue needs to be discussed properly between the two countries.
The DY CM also condemned the Khoyathong blast of September 13 and declared that it is still not clear who could be behind such a violent attack.
On being asked about the increasing number of bomb attacks in the twin districts of Imphal East and West, the Home minister said the militant outfits could be getting desperate as the number of militant outfits laying down arms has been increasing.
He further condemned the recent incident of cadres of a MoU signatory outfit getting involved in physical attacks and extortion and said he had already talked with the GOC on the issue and asked for a report.
Actions will be taken up after receiving the report, he said.
The Home Minister and the DGP also checked the security measures taken up by the police at the under construction Secretariate Building, Chingmeirong where labourers are presently staying.
The Home Minister and the DGP also met with the labourers and officials of the company.
DGP MK Das also instructed the officials of the company to keep the entire workers together at the present complex.
He further asked the workers to return from their work places before dark.
Around 900 workers and 80 officers and engineers of the Simplex Company are engaged in the construction works.
Starting yesterday, one Platoon of 7 Manipur Riffles has been deployed at the place where the labourers are put and given strict instructions to protect the area. The DGP has also Instructed the commander of the platoon that no security personnel are to leave their posts.