Manipur Govt to take action against agitators

Imphal, Aug 19: Concerned with a spurt in economic blockades and bandhs in Manipur, the state cabinet has decided to take actions against those responsible for the incidents.

Official sources here today said Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had discussed the matter with his cabinet yesterday and decided to enforce the directive of the Supreme Court to take legal actions against the organisers of such bandhs and recover economic losses from them.

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren said issues should be resolved across the tables through talks and dialogue and urged the people not to call blockades or bandh as it causes immense hardship.

He said the state incurred a loss of more than Rs 1319.96 crores during 2003-07.

The state's annual growth rate during the 10th Five Year Plan was only 4.9 per cent, the lowest in the country.

The cabinet also decided to conduct election of the District Councils (DC) in six months time, Mr Biren said adding that more powers should be given to the DCs.

UNI