Manipur: CM clarifies on border pillar No 81

24 July 2018:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh clarified that there was no erection of new border pillar No 81 and that there was no question of shifting of the border pillar.

The recent issue is over the subsidiary pillars between the main border pillar No 80 and 81. As the people have apprehension regarding the alleged shifting of the position of the border pillar, the state government had urged the central government for resurvey/ re-demarcation, Singh said in the Assembly on Monday.

A team from the Ministry of External Affairs will be arriving for an on-the-spot verification of work at border pillar No 81 at Kwatha Khunou in Tengnoupal district on July 24. Singh appealed to all concerned including political parties, civil society organisations, stakeholders and people living near border pillar No 81 to stand united and cooperate in solving the issue.

On the ongoing crisis in Manipur University arising out the varsity community’s demand for the ouster of vice chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey, Singh informed the House that the government was concerned over the matter and would try hard for justice.

Since the Human Resources Development Ministry has already constituted an enquiry committee, headed by a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, the CM said let the committee begin the probe first.

He said till such time, the government would find a way out to resume normal functioning of the university. He further stated that even after the conclusion of the Assembly Session, the government would meet the agitators. He requested all to refrain from publishing and spreading baseless news.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Peoples Protection Bill, 2018 was passed unanimously by the House. The Bill, introduced by Singh on Friday, was referred to the Hills Areas Committee for consideration.

The Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second amendment) Bill, 2018, which was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh, was referred to the select committee which would comprise the Law Minister as chairman and two members each from Treasury/Ruling and opposition party.

The House also unanimously passed the Manipur International University Bill, 2018 which was introduced by Education Minister Th. Radheshyam on July 20.

The House resolved to withdraw two bills namely, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 which were passed by the House on August 31, 2015. The two resolutions were moved by the CM.