Imphal, November 20
Assam Rifles today handed over the historic Kangla fort to the Manipur Government in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Lt-Gen Bhupinder Singh of Assam Rifles formally handed over the keys of the ancient fort to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
Assam Rifles had been asked to vacate the place before the Prime Minister arrived in the state.
Earlier, the Prime Minister laid the foundation of the Rs 727.56 crore Jiribam-Imphal (Tupul) rail line at Jiribam in Imphal East district here. It would cover 97.90 km connecting Manipur with the rest of the country for the first time through the railways.
Dr Manmohan Singh’s maiden visit to Manipur was marred by a “curfew” of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and agitation by the Apunba Lup.
The proscribed RPF imposed the “curfew” to boycott Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit.
All business establishments here remained closed, while public transport went off the roads as a result of the 24-hour “curfew”, imposed statewide from last midnight.
Reports from various parts of the state said though the “curfew” created a bandh-like situation, there was no untoward incident in view of the tight security arrangement for Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit.
In a
statement, the RPF said the people of Manipur expect nothing from the Prime Minister’s visit.
“Ever since Manipur was merged with the Indian union 55 years ago, the people have been subjected to various forms of atrocities and excesses committed by its security personnel,” it said.
The outfit said in Kashmir a large number of troops had been withdrawn ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to send out a message of concern. But in Manipur the Union Government “pumped in” more security personnel for “operation all clear”.
Meanwhile, the Apunba Lup, protesting the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), reimposed the “ban” on learning and teaching of Hindi and NCC activities despite the Centre announcing constitution of a five-member AFSPA review committee.
The Lup announced to resume its agitation demanding complete repeal of the AFSPA from Manipur in a decision taken late last night without waiting for the Prime Minister to give his views on the controversial act during his visit today.
On his arrival here at about 10.15 am, Dr Manmohan Singh was received by the Manipur Chief Minister, Governor S.S. Sidhu, besides a host of ministers and senior civil and security officials.
Attending the ninth convocation of the Manipur University on its premises here, Dr Manmohan Singh announced the much-awaited decision of the Centre to upgrade the university to a Central university.
“Considering all the positive achievements of the university and the constraint of funds facing it, I have agreed to upgrade Manipur University to a Central university,” he told applauding guests, students and faculty of the university.
