IMPHAL, Oct 18 ? With the formation of the Unified Command structure with the Chief Minister as the chairman, large scale counter-insurgency campaigns would be intensified in this sensitive border State.
Addressing a crowded press conference at his official residence here on Sunday, the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that in the prevailing law and order situation and under the pressures of the voluntary organisations, the state and central forces will start counter-insurgency operations against the underground Kuki Revolutionary Army for rescuing the vice-president of the All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers? Union, Brajamani and driver Ghanashyam.
He said that it is very unfortunate for the abduction and demands for the ransom. They were abducted recently. The outfit had released a tanker driver Md Sahauddin from their custody on October 12 after being taken ransom. Earlier, the outfit had set October 4 as the deadline to their safe release and then extended to October 14.
Many organisations including All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers? Union and All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporter Association have reiterated their appeals to the KRA to release the twosome safely. As the two are still in the custody of the KRA, oil tanker drivers are still refusing to take the wheel, plunging the State to yet another round of fuel crisis.
Asked about the artificial scarcity of petroleum products and black marketeering of petrol and diesel in the State arising out of the crisis, the Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio disclosed that actions have been taken up by the State police forces in arresting the black marketeers. He, however, failed to mention how many shady businessmen on petroleum products were picked up.
Concerning the peace talks with the underground outfits, the Chief Minister said that it is very unfortunate for his government not to get any positive response from insurgent outfits despite the fact that he had reiterated his appeals to them to come for meaningful talks with the government.
The Chief Minister said that his government would assist the Central government for having meaningful talks with Apunba Lup which is spreading the agitation for withdrawal of the Acts.
He also announced that he will take stringent actions against any minister who was found involved in the withdrawal of funds amounting to Rs 80 lakh released from the Central government for development of Ukhrul district. Opposition leader Rajkumar Dorendra has recently announced that Manipur power minister Gaikhangam while he was holding Works portfolio has withdrawn over Rs 80 lakh without executing any of the works. The State Vigilance department has been asked to submit a detailed report to this effect within a fortnight, the CM said.