Chidambaram ends Manipur visit

IMPHAL, Nov 4 – The Union Home Minister P Chidambaram after concluding his two-day official visit to the State, flew back to New Delhi today. He inaugurated as many as nine government establishments during his visit.

Prior to his departure, Chidambaram accompanied by State Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh inaugurated two power sub-stations at Tamei and Tousem subdivisions in Naga-dominated Tamenglong district besides a district mini secretariat complex and a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya building at its district headquarter,150 km west of here.

While addressing a public meeting at the newly-inaugurated multi-purpose hall of the mini-secretariat at Tamenglong, he said, “Development activities will take place if there is peace, and for that matter, there is no lack of funds with the Centre. The government is committed to spend money for development in the region.”

On the first day of his visit Chidambaram inaugurated five government establishments including two in Senapati and three in Jessami under Ukhrul district.

In Imphal, the CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat expressed unhappiness over the government’s failure to tackle Manipur’s situation arising out of prolonged blockades on its highways.

Speaking to the media, CPI(M) leader said that although the Union Home Minister was here, he failed to spell out a strategy to tackle the Manipur situation. This shows that Centre is ignoring the situation.

Manipur has been reeling under abnormal price hike of essential commodities due to the three months old blockade. The Centre should take the responsibility, he added.

CPI(M) leader was here on a two-day visit since Wednesday to strengthen the party’s activities besides assessing the Manipur situation. The visiting Communist leader also expressed the need to replace the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 with more humane laws.

Even though the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee has suspended the 92- day blockade on NH 39 and 53, following assurance to meet their demand,United Naga Council and its frontal organizations continues to impose a parallel blockade till date since August 21 despite the appeal to end in public interest.

Thus Manipur still continues to face its worst supply crisis. Petrol is being sold at Rs 200 per litre and cooking gas at Rs 2,000 per cylinder in black market.