IMPHAL: Janata Dal United, Manipur today strongly condemned the detention of State Cabinet Minister Francis Ngajokpa and Tengnoupal MLA DK Korungthang by personnel of 24 Assam Rifles. The state minister along with the MLA were detained by Assam Rifles personnel led by Major Rocky at Khudengthabi for 10 minutes yesterday. Speaking at a press meet held at its office at Bapupara, JD(U) President M Tombi said the incident is an insult to the people and the Govt of the state. He demanded transfer of Major Rocky.  M Tombi also said a memorandum will be submitted to ministries concern apprising extortion of money from vehicles plying on two National Highways, assault on drivers, kidnapping drivers for ransom and to start a direct flight between Imphal and Delhi. 

IMPHAL: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa and MLA Tengnoupal DK Karungthang were detained by Assam Rifles at the Imphal-Moreh road yesterday. The two Manipur lawmakers, on their way to border town Moreh to attain a political conference of Congress reached Khudengthabi at around 11 yesterday morning.  An Assam Rifles personnel, identifying himself as Major Rockey, refused to accept upon introducing the duo as a Minister and an MLA. Subsequently, Francis called up Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and informed about the matter. They were released 10 minutes later. 

IMPHAL: MLA RK Anand today inspected the new resettlement sites for people affected by airport expansion at Ningombam and Malom and assured to urge Chief Minister Okram Ibobi to announce special economic package.Officials of power department and district administration accompanied RK Anand in the inspection. People living in the resettlement sites voiced electric, drinking water and road issues to the MLA. After listening their grievances MLA Anand assured of looking into the matter as soon as possible. MLA RK Anand also oversaw the road maintenance under PMGSY in Naoriya-Pakhanglakpa constituency along with engineers of Project Implementing Unit, PWD. Locals of Konjeng Leikai and Ningombam expressed their desire to speed up the work.  MLA instructed the engineers to complete the work as soon as possible. RK Anand said there is no complain of the ongoing work and he will use his power as an MLA to stop any forthcoming work if quality is compromise. He also appeal department concerned, contractors and people to assist in speedy completion of works. 

IMPHAL: Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam demanded public apology from the BJP for its reference to the people of the north east as immigrants in vision document released in connection with the Delhi assembly elections. He said the BJP should apologise to the people instead of saying it was a printing mistake. Speaking to the media at Congress Bhawan, Gaikhangam said the state has earlier witnessed civil unrest due to a mistake committed by the BJP. He said this time also the party's mistake could have provoked the people. The Deputy Chief Minister also said the govt is making all possible efforts to introduce inner line permit system in Manipur. He said the govt wishes to introduce and discuss the bill on inner line permit in the next assembly session. 

IMPHAL: An IED and mortar shells were discovered yesterday in the heart of Imphal where a large number of police personnel remain vigil round the clock. Sources said the IED and mortar shells were found on the road at Nityaipat Chuthek under City police station this morning around 7. A team of Manipur police bomb squad safely removed them. Meanwhile, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba strongly reacted against the discovery of a bomb in the heart of Imphal city saying that the law and order system of the state is a total failure. Speaking to media at its head office, Th Chaoba said the state is being run by a government who cannot handle law and order or use funds properly.  He also said he would urge the centre to impose president rule in the state as the security and the intelligence was unable to do anything even when the bomb was planted in front of the BJP office, which is just opposite the Governor Bunglow.