Security around mission schools tightened in Manipur

IMPHAL, March 23: Patrolling and frisking by police and security forces have been intensified in and around the Christian-missionary run schools Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam told the House today. Replying to question raised in this regard by Congress MLA Rishang Keishing during the Question Hour in the State Assembly today, the Chief Minister informed the House that as of now all the Catholic School except Don Bosco School, Langjing and St Joseph's School, Sangairprou were holding regular classes. He disclosed that regular classes have been registered in connection with the incidents of attacks on Christian-missionary run schools and missionaries, and they were being investigated into. He also recalled that police shot dead two extremists on May 18, 1992 at Khurai Tinsid Road after the shooting of Fr VJ Sebastian, headmaster of Don Bosco High School. He replied in the negative to a question whether ex gratia payments have been paid to the dead or injured persons, stating that no claims have been received in this regard. In reply to another question raised by Rishang Keishing, Radhabinod Koijam said in an attempt to tide over the financial deficit, the State government will lay emphasis on higher allocation for externally aided projects and non-lapsable pool of resources, by formulation of projects professionally, avail higher allocation by Planning Commission for Rural Infrastructure Development Fund under NABARD, access Incentive Fund created under 11th Finance Commission by showing positive results in economic reforms, seek higher allocation from different Union ministries by submitting suitable schemes, and request the Union Government to allocate a sizeable sum to cover the closing deficit by way of additional Central assistance etc. Outstanding public debt liability of the State as on 31-3-2000 stood at Rs 744.24 crore (excluding ways and means advance), Radhabinod told the House in reply to another question from Rishang.