IMPHAL, Jul 20 : A total of 324 cases were registered since August 1, 1997 till June 30 this year against the General Secretary of the underground NSCN (IM) and its cadres in connection with crimes committed within the territory of Manipur.
This was mentioned by the chief minister O Ibobi Singh, who also holds the portfolio of the state Home Department, while replying to queries from the opposition MLA RK Anand of the MPP during question and answer hour of the ongoing state Assembly session today.
The chief minister in his reply before the House today mentioned that from time to time the state government had been registering FIR cases against the General Secretary of the NSCN (IM) and its cadres in connection with the crimes committed within the territory of Manipur.
Replying to further queries the chief minister clarified that out of the 324 cases registered against the NSCN(IM) cadres three cases were submitted in charge sheet, and 179 cases were returned in Final Report (FR) while 142 cases are pending.
Replying to queries of senior opposition MLA O Joy Singh, he mentioned that the state government had been monitoring the movements and activities in the state since the organization entered into a ceasefire with the Government of India during 1997.
The CM further mentioned that since the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (IM) has been confined to Nagaland, the NSCN(IM) had been treated as one of the underground organizations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act by the state government till today.
He said it is because of the unchanged stand of the state government that the state government has taken a firm stand against the proposed visit of the general secretary of the outfit, even though he got a green signal from the Central Home ministry recently.
The stand of the state government to disallow entry to NSCN(IM) leader Th Muivah who was heading for his native village at Somdal village in Ukhrul district, by deploying heavy state forces at Mao and Jessami Junction neighbouring Nagaland for the last three months clearly indicated the state government’s opposition to the extension of NSCN(IM) ceasefire into the state, the CM said. The state government will never allow any external forces to disturb the territorial integrity of the state, he added.
To yet another question raised by MLA, N Mangi of the CPI which is part of the ruling bench, the chief minister replied that there are a total of 19 Kuki underground groups under the tripartite signing of Suspension of Operations (SoO).
He elaborated that the SoO between the Government of India, Government of Manipur and the Kuki underground groups operating in the state had materialized through two major frontal organizations including KNO and UPF.
The chief minister further mentioned that the government has completed construction of four designated camps for the organizations under the KNO at Chongkhozou, and Mongbung village in Churachandpur district, Chelep in Chandel district and Samsusang village in Ukhrul district. Besides, six designated camps for the organizations under the UPF were also constructed at Najang, N Phaisat, Mualvaiphei, New Lamka, P Gamnom and Unkhosou villages.
He said that as per the SoO there are a total of 800 cadres under KNO and 1000 cadres in the UPF. On the other hand, as per the agreement reached between the government and Kuki outfits the government is providing monthly allowances/ stipends of Rs. 5000 per month for the leaders and Rs. 3000 per cadre per month.
Senior Opposition MLA, O Joy of the MPP during supplementary questions drew the attention of the state government over the continuing violation of the ground rules of the SoO by different cadres of the Kuki underground by indulging in extortions, serving monetary demands and other violent activities in different parts of the state. He further urged the government to monitor the situation created by these cadres who are under the SoO.
In reply, the chief minister said that every reported untoward incident involving the Kuki underground under the SoO were monitored by a Joint Monitoring Group of the SoO headed by the Chief Secretary of Manipur, and constituted of the IGP, Intelligence of the state, officials concerned of the Assam Rifles, Army, CRPF and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Every violation of ground rules of the SoO were discussed in the meetings of the SoO and immediate action against violators were taken up from time to time as per the decision of the JMG meeting.
In reply to another question raised by MLA, T Hankhanpao, the chief minister said it is a fact that the SBI Chakpikarong branch in Chandel district had been closed down due to security reasons.
He clarified that the closure of the SBI branch at Chakpikarong sub-division in Chandel district was on account of extortion threats on the Branch Manager from suspected underground elements. The state government is pursuing the SBI for reopening of the said branch at an early date and there is no question of shifting of the SBI branch to somewhere else.
Replying to further supplementary questions, the chief minister further said the matter which led to the closure of the SBI branch at Chakpikarong has been taken seriously by the state government and in fact the state was not in a position to deploy armed personnel for the bank. However, with subsequent increase of state forces the government is looking forward to deliver the demands of the officials of SBI for armed personnel for the bank as soon as possible, he said.
Not only this, the state government is preparing for the opening of nationalized banks in different parts of blocks which are not having banking facilities. This strategy of the state government is a part of its venture to deliver all round development in the state, he added.