Displaying items by tag: AFSPA

IMPHAL: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan and officials of Mega Block affected states of Manipur, Assam, Mizoram and Tripura yesterday reviewed the problems faced by targeted public distribution system due to Lumding-Silchar Broad-guage conversion.Addressing the media persons, Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the Lumding-Silchar Broad-Guage conversion will be completed by next month. He said completion of Mega Block will enable uninterrupted food supply in the region. Stating that he will discuss about the implementation of National Food Security Act in the state with chief minister, Paswan assured the people of providing all benefits available under the Act. He further said interrupted supply of Targeted PDS items to the needy still remains a problem in the country. He also said not only beneficiaries of Food Security Act will be identified and uploaded on the website but also update the stock allotted to states in regular basis.  He said this will not only bring transparency but it will also help prevent black marketing.Earlier, Ram Vilas Paswan, who is also the National President of Lok Janshakti Party, said he will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to end the issue of AFSPA and save Irom Sharmila’s life. Speaking at the reception at Lilong Chajing the minister assured the people of providing all Central schemes and programmes. Ram Vilas Paswan arrived in Imphal this morning at 11:30 on a two-day visit. Welcoming Paswan, Lok Jan Shakti Party Manipur Unit requested him to address the issue of AFSPA and unavailability of PDS items in the state. MLA Karam Shyam, who is also the National Secretary of the party along with State Unit Presidents attended the reception at Lilong Chajing. Interestingly, Ram Vilas Paswan announced that the lone MLA of the LJP in Manipur Assembly, Karam Shyam will remain in the Opposition as Lok Janshakti Party is part of the NDA government at the Centre. It may be mentioned that the party has been supporting the congress government in Manipur. There might be new developments as a case seeking the disqualification of MLA K Shyam has been pending in the Speaker's tribunal. 

IMPHAL: Reacting to the discovery of human skeletal remains in now defunct Tombisana High School complex, veteran politician Okram Joy has demanded probe by a high level independent body instead of the CBI. Speaking to media persons at his house in Kakwa, O Joy said the recovery of skeletal remains from a place security forces once occupied should not be taken lightly. He also stressed the need for Union and State government to investigate the matter seriously. Expressing disbelief at state government handing over the case to CBI, O Joy demanded probe by a high level independent body. O Joy said number of missing persons has increased dramatically since the imposition of AFSPA in 1980 in the state. He also stated that missing complaints were mostly filed after security forces made the arrest and there are also number of unreported missing cases.  O Joy said considering all these, the recovery of human skeletal at the heart of Imphal city where security forces were stationed is a serious issue. He also said he understands the feeling of the people who suspected the security forces. 

All India Trinamool Congress Manipur Pradesh President MLA Th Shyamkumar lambasted the state govt yesterday as impotent for failing to curb anti-social elements. Citing the example of three bomb blasts in December month alone in which many died and injured, Shyamkumar termed Imphal West District SP and other police officers concerned as irresponsible and should resigned on moral ground. Speaking to media persons Shyamkumar also said those involved in the blasts are cowards and barbarians and AITC Manipur Pradesh condemned the acts in the strongest terms. Th Shyamkumar also blamed the State Home Department for tempering the Closed Circuit Televisions, CCTVs installed in Imphal City for their own vested interest. He sought an explanation from the Govt on the non-functional of the CCTVs in and around Imphal city when CCTV installed in their courtyard are working. Talking on the skeleton remains discovered from the defunct Tombisana High School, Shyamkumar demanded an urgent investigation on the matter saying it is quite possible that the skeletons are of those who had disappeared under disguise of AFSPA. He said instead of merely saying 'we are investigating', 'we are trying', govt must conduct DNA tests to bring out the truth behind the discovery.