I
RB families oppose vacate-Kangla order
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 7: Defying the Government order, families of the Ist IRB personnel living inside the sacred Kangla today revolted from moving out the family line until an alternative facility has been provided to them.
As part of the security measures being taken up after the September 1 attack at the Chief Minister’s bungalow, Under Secretary (Home) Th Amalkumar had issued an order on September 4 to vacate the family line inside Kangla and other private buildings in Babu-para area.
The order had also directed to step up frisking operation in Mahabali, Old Lambulane, Imphal Central Jail and Municipal areas.
Acting on the order, the Commandant of Ist IRB had issued a notification yester-day (September 6) directing the family members of the IRB personnel putting up inside Kangla to move out from the family line within September 10.
In connection with the notification, family members of the IRB personnel today meet the Chief Minister requesting the latter to not force them to move out from their present accommodation in consideration of their children who are studying in Imphal and in the mid of academic session. However, after the Chief Minister told them that he would not listen to such requests, infuriated fa-mily members returned back and closed down the western gate of Kangla preven- ting movement of people.
On hearing the news of the revolt, CO of Ist IRB P Dhiren rushed in at around 3.30 pm and tried to pacify the angry family members who insisted that they would not move out from Kangla until an alternative arrangement is put in place.
Caught in a tricky situation, the CO assured the family members that the matter would be taken up for discussion during the meeting being convened by DIG AP-II tomorrow.
Later talking to media-persons in the presence of the agitating family members, the CO informed that out of around 150 IRB personnel being deployed in- side Kangla, family members of around 126 are staying in the family line.
As the order to vacate the family line was firm and irrevocable, prior notification had been given direc- ting to vacate within September 10 so that the action taken report could be submitted on September 12, the CO added.
When asked whether the accommodation of the family members of IRB personnel in the family line of Kangla had been arranged under an order of the Government or not, the CO replied that the arrangement had been made from time to time in accordance to conveniences.
However, the agitated family members asserted that they have been allowed to stay inside Kangla by an order of the Government, though they could not provide a copy of the said order when requested by mediapersons.
