Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Imphal Sewerage Project inspected CM pays a visit to dug up roads in bazar areas


Imphal, December 31: Chief Minister O Ibobi today personally inspected the work progress of the ongoing Imphal Sewerage Project and besides walking through the bazar areas to get a first hand experience of trudging along the dismembered and dug up roads, announced that the Government would soon pull down all the high rise buildings (more than triple storey) in the commercial areas and asked the owners to do the needful before the Government acts.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by PHED Minister TN Haokip, Works Minister K Ranjit, IFCD Minister N Biren and PDA Chairman Dr Th Lokeshore during his inspection tour.

Later speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said that the high rise buildings in the commercial areas of Imphal were built without the permission of the Government or the Imphal Municipal Council and hence they are illegal structures.

The Chief Minister explained that according to the by laws of the Imphal Municipal Council, no building in the commercial areas can exceed three storeys.

Sounding a stern warning, the Chief Minister 'advised' the owners of such buildings to pull down their excess floors before the Government acts.

Clearly peeved at the manner in which the laws have been violated, the Chief Minister said, "If any of these buildings collapse, then the blame will be put on the Government".

Though the Chief Minister admitted that the work progress of the Imphal Sewerage Project at the bazar areas is not 100 pc satisfactory, he nevertheless struck a confident pose and claimed that the process of laying the pipes will be over between January 10 and 15 next year.

Once the process of laying the pipes is over, then the road repairing works will be taken up, he assured.

Announcing some development plans of the Government, the Chief Minister said that the road leading from Wahengbam Leikai to Keishampat and from Keishampat to Heirangoithong and from Wahengbam Leikai to Tera bazar will be four laned.

To make up for the lack of parking slot in the bazar areas, the Chief Minister said that the time has come to build multi-storey shopping malls at the campuses of the Imphal Municipality Council, MSRTC and at Keishampat, which will not only have shopping centres, but will also provide parking space for 2000 vehicles.

The Chief Minister also asked the SP of Imphal West Clay Khongsai on the process of allowing some four wheelers to enter the bazar areas.

The police officer explained that all the vehicles entering the bazar areas are thoroughly checked and added that shop owners are issued passes.

The Sp also suggested that if the ground floors of the shops located in the bazar areas are converted to parking lots, it would ease the traffic congestion to a great extent.

Answering questions from the reporters, the Chief Minister admitted that 2007 was not exactly a peaceful year and expressed hope that the dawn of the new year will bring some peace.

The Chief Minister also reminded that the SPF Government will finish its first year of the second term on March 7 and added that the development plans of the Government will be announced then.

On the other hand, Works Minister K Ranjit admitted that the work to be taken up the Uripok-Kangchup road at the estimated cost of Rs 10 lakhs has run into trouble following interference from underground organisations.

He appealed to the people to extend their co-operation to the Government to help it carry out development works.

Speaking to newsmen today evening, the Works Minister said that one labourer hired for the work was abducted recently by underground cadres and added that this has spread fear psychosis amongst the workers.

The Works Minister also announced that the pot holes on the Uripok-Kangchup route will be filled up within a week and added that the route will then be incorporated in the work programme.

If the work quality is compromised in any manner, then the contractor concerned will be pulled up, said the Minister and urged the people to report to him if anything is amiss.

8 killed in LeT Fidayeen attack on CRPF camp in Rampur


Rampur (UP), Jan 1: At least eight people, including seven security personnel were killed and five others injured when armed Laskhar-e-Toiba(LeT) fidayeen attacked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh early today.

Senior police officials in the state capital confirmed that the module behind the attack was of the LeT. Of the total seven security personnel killed, five belonged to the CRPF while two were UP policemen. Besides, a civilian was also killed in the attack.State Additional Director General of Police (Crime, Land and Order) Brijlal told the sources that of the total casualties, five were CRPF jawans and two UP police personnel. He said, ''At least two fidayeen entered the CRPF camp after crossing the first barricade of UP police.'' The entire area had been cordoned and search operations launched to nab the terrorist who were ''hiding somewhere in the jungle area around the vast CRPF camp''.

Mr Brijlal said the injured jawans have been shifted to hospital at the neighbouring district of Moradabad where the condition of one of them was stated to be critical.

Senior police officials from the nearby district have rushed to the spot along with additional security forces, he added.

Meanwhile, a report from Rampur said securitymen have managed to shot dead one terrorist but the other managed to escape.

The terrorists, equipped with AK 47, attacked the camp around 0300 hours and managed to enter the base camp after shooting the security personnel of the UP police at the first barricade, according to sources.

On November 28, Intelligence agencies issued an alert of possible attack on the CRPF camp at Rampur situated on Delhi-Lucknow national highway. Agencies issued the alert after they intercepted a call in which a person from Pakistan ordered someone in the western district of the state to ''complete the work'' at CRPF camp during recruitment.

After the alert, security was beefed up at the camp and additional forces from UP police were deployed.



UNI

Bilawal to have 24-hour armed guard at Oxford


London, Jan 1: Former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be given 24-hour protection when he returns to his studies in Britain. Officers from Scotland Yard's Diplomatic Protection Group would carry out a risk assessment and talk to officials of Pakistan People's Party to decide what level of protection he should receive, the Daily Mail reported.

The slain leader's 19-year-old son was named chairman of the party on Sunday.It is being said that Bilawal could now become a target of Islamic militants. His father Asif Ali Zardari will run the party while Bilawal finishes his studies in Oxford, where protection for him could range from a panic alarm and special security measures, including sensors, being installed in his student accomodation to round the clock protection by armed officers.

A security source said, ''Clearly if a specific threat is made against him, then security will be massively increased.'' Bilawal, who is a first year history student at Christ Church, Oxford, is due to start the next academic term on January 13 but it was not clear whether he will delay his return until a date is agreed for general elections in Pakistan.

Mohsin Bari, PPP's general secretary for Greater London, said, ''We do not know yet when Bilawal will return to take up his studies but he faces the same dangers as his mother, as he is continuing where she left off and following the same policies.

''It is our and the British government's responsibility to look after him while he is in this country,'' he said.

About Bilawal taking the party leadership, he said, ''He is under a lot of pressure but he is a brave boy. After all, he is the son of Benazir who was so brave.''



UNI