The House assembled at 11.00 am of Tuesday, the 5th July, 2005 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair. 

MEMBERS  PRESENT: 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, 10 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee), 1 Minister of State and 44  Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS: 

(a)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 775, asked by Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the repairing of Pallel to Sugnu Road.           

(b)       Hon’ble  Minister (Revenue)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 776, asked  by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the reconstruction of the SDO Office, Moirang.           

(c)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 777, asked  by  Shri S. Chandra  Singh, MLA regarding the works taken up under the  crash programme of Andro A/C.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 779, asked by  Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA regarding the stalling of construction work of  Heirangoithong Bridge.           

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 780, asked by  Shri Vivek Raj Wangkhem, MLA regarding the allotment of government  quarters to Ex-MPs and Ex-MLAs.           

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (Commerce & Industries) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 781, asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the engagement/ upgradation  of some employees in MANITRON. 

(g)       Hon’ble Minister (PHED) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 782, asked       by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the irregular supply of water  by the Water Supply Schemes of Sekmai A/C. 

(h)       Hon’ble Minister (PHED) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 783, asked by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the amount sanctioned for the  Water Supply Schemes in Khurai A/C. 

            Answers to Starred Question Nos. 774 & 778 were laid on the Table of the House.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER: 

            Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip announced that Shri M. Nabadwip Singh, MLA had taken leave of the House on medical ground. 

ZERO HOUR: 

            During Zero Hour, Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA  raised a matter of price hike of essential  commodities and another on the disorder of his telephone. 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER: 

            The Hon’ble Speaker informed the House that he received an Adjournment Motion from  Shri O. Joy Singh, Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, Shri M. Bhorot Singh and Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLAs under Rule 64 for a discussion on the ongoing economic blockade on N.H. 39 and N.H. 53. 

            S/Shri O. Joy Singh, S. Ibohal Singh, L. Ibomcha Singh, Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and Dr. M. Nara Singh expressed views for holding a discussion on the ongoing economic blockade before all agenda listed in the day’s business list, considering the urgency of the matter and the gravity of the situation. 

            The Hon’ble Speaker announced that the Adjournment Motion was converted to Short Duration Discussion to be taken up immediately. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA initiating the discussion expressed the need to discuss the matter  in the House in view of its public importance. He highlighted the problems faced by the people because of the imposition of indefinite economic blockade on the National Highways. He said that the mode of protest was illegal and the strikers should air their grievances in a democratic way. He expressed apprehension of an explosive situation and said that the government should appeal to the strikers to review their decision to avoid unwanted consequences. He said that there was no legal sanction for bandhs and economic blockades and that legal action if necessary, should be taken. 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA participating in the discussion stressed the need to bring about an amicable solution. He pointed out the urgency of the matter and said that the government should convince the striker with sincerity to sort out the misunderstandings. He said that the National Highways should be protected by any means lest the consequences would be alarming. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA said that the common people are the worst sufferers. He asked the government to take effective steps and urge the striker to review their stand. He added that the government should not be carried away by the whims of an organisation. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA made allegation against the government for its lack of initiative and vision. He said that the government remained a silent spectator and didn’t take prior steps for negotiation. He stressed on the need of evolving a contingency plan by the state government for controlling bandhs and blockades in future. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh adjourned the morning session at 1.05 p.m. till 2.05 p.m. of the day). 

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.10 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair).

Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that the present situation arising out of the ongoing economic blockade on NH-39 imposed by ANSAM was very alarming and charged the Government for not taking up a concrete decision to make negotiation with ANSAM. He further informed the House that the Government lacked transparency in its decision and also stressed the need to take tough and bold decision for bringing a solution at the earliest. Seeking clarification from the Chief Minister on the declaration of 18 June as a holiday, he urged the Government to hold a Cabinet meeting for an early solution. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that administration in Senapati and Mao was totally collapsed and added that the Government failed to bring goods laden trucks stranded outside Manipur safely to Imphal. He wanted the Government to call out Army from the Centre to help in such situation. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA participating in the discussion said that the ongoing blockade on NH-39 affected the normal life of the general public and the prices of essential commodities had skyrocketed. He charged the Government for failing to tackle the issue in time. He said that such blockade would bring communal division in the State. He urged the Government to review its earlier decision of declaring 18 June as a holiday. He further said that an alternative route to NH-39 should be opened and highway protection force should also be deployed on it. He strongly maintained that it won’t be right to hold common people to ransom by supporting the demand of NSCN(IM). Regarding the proposed blockade by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee, he was of the opinion that the demand was a legitimate demand and wanted the Government to settle the issue at the earliest. 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the discussion clarified that all  efforts of the Government for a peaceful negotiation with ANSAM regarding the economic blockade of NH-39 had been underway for a lasting solution. He informed the House that the declaration of 18 June as a holiday was made in good faith keeping in mind the territorial integrity of Manipur and added that it was not in favour of any community in particular. He informed that written intimation had been sent to ANSAM to come to the negotiating table and written messages also had been sent to the Government of Assam and Nagaland for giving protection to the stranded vehicles on NH-39. Regarding the stock position of essential items, he said that stock position was being checked daily and added that traders should not raise price by taking advantage of the ongoing blockade. He informed the House that the Government along with Naga Ministers and MLAs would approach to ANSAM for bringing about an amicable solution. To check economic blockades and bandhs, legal experts were consulted for the legislation of a Law, he further informed the House and added that steps had been taken to open NH-53 by July 15, 2005 and NH-150 during the  current financial year. He sought cooperation from all to resolve the issue. 

DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS, 2005-2006: 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved Demand No. 7 - Police, Demand No. 24 -  Vigilance Department, Demand No. 31 - Fire Protection and Control, Demand No. 32 - Jails, Demand No. 33 - Home Guards and Demand No. 34 - Rehabilitation for discussion. 

            The Hon’ble Speaker clubbed all the six demands for a joint consideration and directed that the two Calling Attention Motions would be incorporated in the demand discussion of the respective departments. 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA moving a cut motion observed that the Home Department failed to maintain Law and Order in the State and added that the police intelligence network was very weak. He mentioned, among other things, the burning of Central Library, railway reservation booking counter, machinery of PWD and office buildings. He informed the House that the department failed to protect life of common people and expressed concern on the mass voluntary retirement of doctors and reported mass resignation of PWD Engineers. He said that police activity in the state was almost nil and wanted the department to check the ransom trend in Manipur. Regarding the Vigilance Department, he charged that the department failed to dispose cases in time. 

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA raising a cut motion pointed out the mal-administration of the Police Department and charged that law and order situation in the State was the worst in the North East. He sought information from the Government on the number of underground organisations operating in Manipur. To help maintain good law and order in the State, the Government should seek opinions from all sections of the society, he said. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving cut motions wanted the Home Department to stop frequent transfer and posting of the police personnel. He expressed unhappiness for frequent blockades on NH-39 and asked whether the AFSPA was not enforced at and around Mao in the backdrop of the ongoing economic blockade. There was imbalanced deployment of  security personnel at the residences of  Ministers and MLAs, he said. The enhancement of wages of the Home  Guards had not been implemented despite a Cabinet decision being taken earlier, he pointed out and suggested for expediting it. He stressed on the need to improve the Jail conditions and to take up rehabilitation schemes of surrenderees extensively. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA raising cut motions highlighted the importance of Fire Service Department in the present scenario of deteriorating law and order situation. He expressed unhappiness over the non-modernisation of the department and inadequacy of its equipment like fire-tenders, etc. and proposed for increasing the number of fire-stations. Regarding rehabilitation, he expressed regret for non-implementing of rehabilitation schemes. He pointed out that there were some disparity in the reinstatement of suspended or terminated personnel in the Police Department and suggested streamlining the Jail Administration by earmarking additional fund.   

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving a cut motion highlighted the deteriorating situation of law and order in the State. He said that some organisations played the role of detecting corrupted officers although the Government machinery failed to do so. He observed that a Retd. High Court Judge must be appointed as the Chairman of the Vigilance Commission in lieu of the Chief Secretary. He pointed out the lack of amenities in the Sajiwa Jail and suggested for providing the requisite facilities to the inmates of the jail. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA supporting the cut motions observed that the governments failure to check the rally in the hill districts on June 16, 2005 was a drawback on the part of the government. Regarding Police modernisation, he suspected that the fund for the purpose was misappropriated. He pointed out that the police personnel lacked discipline and the state intelligence cell was very weak. He suggested the construction of Police Housing Complex in all the districts, opening of a separate women police station, establishment of a Highway Protection Force. He also suggested for increasing pay and allowances of Home Guards. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving cut motions endorsed the proposal of enhancing the pay of Homeguards but expressed suspicion that there might be some discrepancies in the number of its personnel and a verification was needed. He suggested that a political dialogue with the insurgent organisations was needed to solve the law and order problem of Manipur. Streamlining of Police Department was urgently necessary, he suggested and asked the government to ascertain the identity of the black clothed men operating in greater Imphal area. He also highlighted the mal-administration in Sajiwa Jail;. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA observed that the Home Department must be reorganised for effectively tackling the law and order situation. A political dialogue without preconditions with the insurgent groups was needed, he remarked. He also suggested providing basic amenities to the inmates of the state jails.  

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister replying to the discussion said that because of the large number of insurgent groups,  Manipur faced the greatest problem of insurgency amongst the N.E. States. He clarified that counter insurgency operations had been ineffective  due to the large area of hilly terrain. He said that the state government was open to dialogue with the insurgent groups and expressed optimism that the insurgents would come out for negotiation for joining the mainstream. He condemned the burning of State Central Library  describing it as a irreparable loss. Transfer and posting of police personnel would be done on need basis, he asserted and added that the accommodation of the surrenderees to suitable jobs would be done after conducting physical test. Regarding Home Guard personnel, he clarified that a proper verification had been conducted and a clear-cut record had been maintained to check manipulation. The appointment of Retd. High Court Judge as the Chairman of State Vigilance Commission was being examined, he said.  

            Clarification was made to the queries raised by S/Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, L. Ibomcha Singh and M. Bhorot Singh, MLAs. 

            Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh directed that a seminar on Police-Public Relations be held. 

            All the cut motions were withdrawn and the six demands, Demand Nos.  7, 24, 31, 32, 33 & 34 were passed unanimously by the House. 

            Hon’ble  Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh  adjourned the House at 6.10 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Wednesday, the 6th July, 2005.