State government submits action plan, agrees to CBI probe

NEW DELHI, January 6 (PTI): After prolonged dithering, Manipur Government today submitted to the Centre a time-bound action plan to tackle insurgency and bring State out of the financial rut, besides agreeing to a CBI probe into scams relating to State lotteries and fake appointments. The plan, which was finalised after days of deliberations between officials of the Union Home Ministry and the state Government, also includes preparations of a counter-militancy plan, setting up of special security apex committee and an independent VIP security review committee. "I am extremely optimistic that the situation will be tackled well through this plan," Home minister LK Advani told reporters after Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh submitted the plan to him this morning. The State Government agreed to authorise CBI to investigate the alleged irregularities in the conduct of Manipuri Lotteries and the alleged fake appointments in its Education Department in which half a dozen ministers were reportedly involved. The investigation into both cases would be carried out from 1990 onwards, Home Ministry sources said. It also agreed to complete probe into alleged nexus between politicians including Ministers and legislators with militants, besides procurement of police uniforms and web equipment. These probes, which were ordered by the State Government, would be completed by this month end and reports sent to the Centre. In case the Union Home ministry finds the reports unsatisfactory, the State Government would issue notification to entrust these cases to CBI. Under the action plan, the State Government would expeditiously set up joint interrogation centres in all the eight districts, tone up prison administration and ensure strict implementation of jail manual. Administrative changes would also be carried out in the police set-up within a time frame. It was also decided to airlift all militants arrested under the National Security Act, who had over three months of jail term left, to high-security prisons in other parts of the country. Out of 12 Manipur Rifles battalions, who would be deployed exclusively for counter-insurgency activity, two others would be replaced by CRPF battalions for the same purpose. Strict action, including dismissal from service, would be taken against those police personnel who surrendered their arms to militants without any resistance, while a security plan would be worked out for entry into State Secretariat and State Government offices at Imphal where CRPF would be deployed. On the administrative front, the principle of 'no work, no pay' would be followed to check the spate of strikes and ensure that all future appointments in the State are done through a full Manipur Public Service Commission. In view of extortion by militants, the State Government has seceded to pay salaries through cheques and banks would be asked to make necessary arrangements for the purpose. Surplus Government staff would be re-deployed in the police department after proper training and the 'no work, no pay' rule would be applied to ensure that Government staff works at the places of duty, especially in the interiors. The State Government would restore screening of Hindi films and programmes on TV and cable networks, which was earlier banned in the State. To check financial profligacy and mismanagement, State Government would be set up an Expenditure Commission.