IMPHAL, October 19: Incidents of bomb attacks in Imphal in recent times are not because of the state police’s weakness. Such attacks have occurred just because the police is considerate enough not to create problems for the people in the name of security measures, said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh before appealing to the general public to extend moral support to the state police and the government.
The Chief Minister was addressing the 121st Raising Day of the Manipur Police department at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground today.
It may be mentioned that an IED had exploded during the wee hours yesterday at Mahatma Gandhi Avenue just about 100 metres from the City Police Station questioning the security measure taken up in the state. No one was however hurt during the blast.
It is easy for the government and the police to use several tactics in order to safeguard the peace, lives and properties of the public, however, it is also necessary to understand the problems such steps would create for the general public, the Chief Minister opined.
Considering the present unsettled state of affairs in the state, the efforts and contribution of the forces of the Manipur police is laudable, he said.
Central leaders had lauded the Manipur police and described it as a smart force compared to other states, the Chief Minister continued.
Addressing the gathering, he said the duty of the police is to safeguard the lives and properties of the general public.
In addition to their daily routine of checking the day to day law and order situation, their effort and contribution in the counter insurgency operations is also laudable, he continued and appealed the meira paibis and NGOs in the state to support the efforts.
Coming out strongly against the recent upsurge in bomb attacks in the state, the Chief Minister expressed that such anti-social antics of outlawed miscreants who explode bombs in public areas will never gain public approval or support nor from God.
He said the police could conduct mass combing operations and checking of the general public.
The government will now act against all such outlawed elements while keeping in mind the fact that such steps will also attract loose talks that the government unable to arrest the real perpetrators is turning against the general public, he said before appealing all to co-operate with the government in such endeavour.
Coming to the drug trafficking issue in the state, the CM acknowledged that there had been several incidents of seizure of illegal drugs in the state.
The government, understanding the desires of the general public, has been taking up actions against all such individuals who are involved in such rackets, he continued.
These anti-social elements in their bid to earn easy money are involved in drug trafficking which will harm the future generation of the state. They should never be allowed to get away from the police, he said.
Continuing his address with the problems faced by the state Police, he said the government is fully aware that the Manipur police is facing several difficulties and deprivations and the government is trying to provide such deprivation on a priority basis.
The government is in the effort to bring a balance administration in both the hills and valley districts for which the government is considering recruitment of extra manpower, he said.
He elaborated that the strength of Manipur police in the hill districts is very low which has created the need for more manpower recruitment.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio attending as the president of the function also lauded the efforts of the Manipur police department.
He said the government is also trying to bring the more than 30 militant outfits based in the state into the mainstream through talks.
In keeping up with the Chief Minister’s earlier tone, the Home minister also said that the police have been not only fighting crimes like drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, robbery, but also safeguarding the lives and property of the public.
He continued there is also a need to upgrade the infrastructure and professional skill of the police to ensure that the intensity of crimes in the state is reduced.
Today’s programme was also attended by ministers, MLAs, state DGP MK Das and other officials of the state government.
An 18 contingent march past parade commanded by 6th IRB Commandant L Herojit was also taken out.