IMPHAL, Aug 5 - The Union Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju and DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh have air dashed here to take stock of the situation arising out a flood and subsequent landslide situation as the 48-hour general strike hit border state on Wednesday.The strike was called by students wing of joint committee on Inner Line permit system(ILPS) demanding implementation of ILPS in Manipur to regulate influx of outsiders.
The ministers were airlifted by an Indian airforce helicofter to oversee the flood and landslide affected areas mostly in Thoubal and Chandel districts soon after arriving at the Imphal International airport near here around 9 in the morning.
Manipur Education Minister M Okendro representing flood-hit Heirok constituency in Thoubal district and Tengnoupal MLA DK Korungthang representing landslide-hit village Joumol also accompanied the visiting Ministers during the hour long aerial survey. Speaking to media prior to their departure for the National capital at the airport in the afternoon, Rijiju assured necessary assistance under National Disaster Relief Fund once they returned back to Delhi.
Stating that they are here �on a special reason� to oversee the situation as development in NE is Prime Minister�s priorities, DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra said the government will take up relief and rehabilitation operations as the rescue operations is almost completed as of now.
Responding to questions on non-disclosure of Naga peace accord which was signed between NSCN-IM and Centre on August 3, in public, Kiren Rijiju said, the details of the framework is nothing worth giving out because it is a confidence building step. Clarifying over the public apprehension, he said the sentiments of the people of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will not be by-passed while addressing the Naga problems.
�So this is not going to be in the interest of one group or other. It will be in the interest of whole region. After all North East has been facing Insurgency problems for a very long time,� Rijiju added.On Tuesday, Manipur chief minister while reiterating that his government will not accept the peace accord if it disturbs the territorial integrity of Manipur, urged the NDA government to make the said peace accord public in public interest.
One of the NSCN-IM preconditions for resolving the 18-year old peace process is said to be the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas or forming Greater Nagaland which includes Naga-inhabited areas in five hill districts of Manipur.
Regarding government�s initiative to combat the ongoing flood situation, he informed that Rs 8.5 crore will be released for immediate relief activities.The ministers flew back to Delhi after the press briefing.
A large agricultural area in Thoubal district which is termed to be rice bowl of Manipur, Chandel, Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishnupur districts besides hundreds of houses in low lying areas were submerged due to flash flood following weeklong heavy rain in July-end.
Manipur media: Meanwhile, the media here in Manipur has decided to publish newspapers and telecast news on local TV channels tomorrow �due to the intense nature of bandh called by Student Wing of JCILPS.�
