Ministerial team to contact the schedule agitationists in Manipur

IMPHAL, March 21: A high level meeting of select ministers and officials, held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam, has decided to depute a ministerial team to establish contact with the office bearers of the 6th schedule demand committee, which launched an economic blockade on the national highways from this morning, and to initiate talks regarding their demands. It may be mentioned here that previous governments have already agreed in principle to the demand for extension of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution to the hill areas of the state. The meeting also decided that government would exercise all means to facilitate import of petroleum products into the state even if the current disagreement with the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association continues. The meeting however decided that the matter of fixing responsibility in connection with the March 8 attack in which 15 oil tankers were set ablaze, should again be reviewed in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed earlier with the transporters. The question of rehabilitation of surrendered militants was on the agenda of the meeting, but due to lack of time it could not be taken up. It was however decided to take up the matter tomorrow. There are altogether 102 surrendered militants staying at various rehabilitation camps in the state at present. The recent incident of torture of civilians by BSF personnel posted at Sugnu also came up for discussion. The meeting agreed that the incident amounted to violation of the ground rules of the unilateral ceasefire. It was also agreed that the BSF post should be shifted from the Serou PHC after preparing a suitable alternative site. Higher education minister Col H Bhuban, PHED minister O Joy, health minister Nimaichand Luwang, forest and environment minister Gangmumei Kamei, TD minister Haokholet Kipgen, social welfare minister Songchinkhup, works minister M Thorhii, sericulture minister L Jonathan, FCS minister K Biren, agriculture minister Thangminlen Kipgen and MoS, health K Ranjit attended the meeting.