Manipur Assembly discusses budget of four departments

Imphal, Mar 4 (UNI) The Manipur Assembly today began discussion on demands of four government departments - Finance, Information and Publicity, State Excise and Sales Tax.

Official sources said the discussion will continue till late in the evening and voting will commence after it was over.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh assured the House last evening that the government will take appropriate action against those who support militants.

He said militant organisations had several factions which were fighting amongst themselves.

He mooted the idea of a political dialogue to end the insurgency problem in the state.

The Union Home Ministry had also approved an action plan for the state police to improve law and order situation in the state, he revealed.

Large areas of Churachandpur and Chandel districts, including Sajik Tampak, Khengjoi, Somtal, were occupied by ultras, however, they had been successfully pushed out, he informed the House.

To protect the police stations, fencing work will be done and the government had sanctioned Rs 50 lakh to clear the telephone bills of the police department.

The government was also helping the militants who had surrendered by providing fixed deposit of Rs five lakh and monthly stipend of Rs 5,000.

The former militants would be kept at Jiribam, Imphal East, where they would be provided special training on various vocations, the Chief Minister said.

To modernise the fire brigades, about ten fire tenders would be procured, he said.

Opposition MLAs O Joy, R K Anand, Ibohalbi and others appealed the government to ensure that police do not harass civilians.

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