Manipur will not succumb to pressure on boundary issues, says Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday told the on-going assembly that his government will not succumb to any pressure on issues related to boundary of the state.

Biren Singh was replying to a calling attention motion raised by opposition member K. Ranjit Singh of Congress party on the reported ban on entry of Mao villagers to Nagaland by Southern Angami Public Organisation (APO).

He said that the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland have been informed about the matter and that they have also assured to take up all steps to stop such activities. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also been informed and the ministry also assured full proof security to the people, he said.

He said that the dispute in the Kozuru area near Dzuko Valley is an important issue and the state government has been trying to solve it without disturbing relationships with the neighbouring state of Nagaland.

Informing that talks are also on for several projects, he said that the bus services between Mao to Dimapur via Peren (Nagaland) had already started. “The government will also solve the issue at any level,” he said.

Mao market has also been opened in different locations of Imphal city so as to enable people of Mao area to sell their products. He said people of Mao area and especially MLA L Dikho of Mao constituency has been supporting the steps taken up by the government.

Sharing the other development activities taken up in and around Dzukou valley, he said a team from Manipur side has visited the side while informing that the 15 km road from (Mao) Manipur side to the valley has also been completed.

“We’re also monitoring it 24X7”, he added while appreciating the different communities including Mao, Maram, Poumai and Thangal of Senapati district for standing united.

Raising the motion, congress MLA Ranjit Singh drew the attention of the House urging that the state government should take up concrete steps to defend the pressure to protect people of Mao area. Imphal, Feb. 23 (EMN)