INDIA bloc parties from Manipur urge PM Modi to visit state for restoration of peace
New Delhi (PTI): INDIA bloc parties from Manipur on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the violence-hit state at the earliest, asserting that his direct involvement and pro-active engagement with the people of Manipur can only bring peace and normalcy there.
A delegation of leaders from 10 political parties, representing the INDIA bloc, held a press conference here and claimed that they were denied permission to hold a sit-in at Jantar Mantar.
"We were supposed to hold a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar, but the authorities declined our permission request. We have around 10 political parties participating. It's unfortunate that we're being denied our right to protest. However, this setback won't deter us; our protest will continue in various forms," Manipur Congress chief K Meghachandra said.
He said they have submitted a memorandum to the prime minister with their demands.
"Manipur is also a part of India, so why has there been so much negligence by the central government over the past 18 months?
More than 60,000 people are in relief camps, and hundreds have lost their lives. How much longer do we have to suffer?" Meghachandra said.
The people of Manipur are asking and demanding that the Prime Minister bring and restore peace to the state, the MLA in the Manipur assembly said.
"The Manipur state government is being directly controlled by the central government, with the Chief Minister acting as nothing more than a paper tiger. It feels like an undeclared presidential rule. The Home Minister is directly controlling the situation in the state," he alleged.
"This is a clear example of negligence by the Prime Minister and the central government, as the PM has neither spoken on the current crisis in Manipur, visited the state, nor invited representatives for discussions," the Manipur Congress chief said.
In their letter to the PM, the INDIA bloc parties from Manipur said, "We, on behalf of the people of Manipur and also on behalf of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, Manipur, invite you (PM Modi for your visit in our state, Manipur, which has been in turmoil for nearing two years since the third of May, 2023."
"The people of Manipur have been eagerly waiting for your presence in the state to place their voices of helplessness to you since the third of May, 2023. As you are also aware that the turmoil has devastated the entire state with nearly a lakh of human population being internally displaced and hundreds of human lives being taken away, leaving the entire state into a complete chaos," the letter said.
The leaders of the 10 parties urged the prime minister to visit in Manipur, at the earliest, before the year ends.
"If you have no time to visit Manipur before this year of 2024 ends, then you are requested to invite all political parties from Manipur at your office or at your official Residence in New Delhi. As you being the Prime Minister, your direct involvement is requested as your pro-active engagement with the people of Manipur can only bring peace and normalcy in Manipur," the letter said.
They urged the prime minister to visit the state at the earliest, saying it would be of great strength in restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur.
In his remarks at the presser, Convenor for the 10 political parties of Manipur, Kshetrimayum Shanta, said they came from Manipur, over 3,000 km away to demand peace and restoration of normalcy, but were denied permission to do a sit-in protest.
"We condemn the attitude of the government led by PM Modi. He hasn't visited Manipur in the last two years, so we have invited him to visit Manipur. Nearly one lakh people have been displaced, hundreds have been killed, and thousands of houses have been burnt down," he said.
"It's because of the mal-administration of the double-engine government of the BJP that we're facing this situation," Shanta said.
"We have been divided by this government. We want this to end and be united again. We stand for the unity and integrity of Manipur," he said.
The Congress an other opposition parties have been attacking the prime minister for not visiting Manipur, besides slamming the Centre for its handling of the situation in the ethnic strife-torn northeastern state.
More than 220 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.
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UP govt sacks five doctors, orders action against 16 health officials for negligence
Lucknow (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday ordered strict action against several health officials, including the dismissal of five doctors from service, over alleged negligence, dereliction of duty and irregularities in the health department.
According to an official statement issued by his office, five medical officers were dismissed for remaining absent from duty for a prolonged period without information and for staying away from medical work.
Those dismissed include Dr Alaknanda of the district hospital in Gorakhpur, Dr Ramji Bhardwaj posted under the Kushinagar Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Saurabh Singh posted under the Balrampur CMO, Dr Viklesh Kumar Sharma of CHC Jagdishpur in Amethi and Dr Monica Verma of CHC Dibiyapur in Auraiya, it stated.
The government also ordered departmental disciplinary proceedings against 16 medical officers, including Ambedkar Nagar CMO Dr Sanjay Kumar Shaival and Deputy CMO Dr Sanjay Verma, over alleged irregularities in the registration and renewal process of private hospitals, nursing homes and ultrasound centres, it added.
According to the statement, "the two officers were found guilty of deliberately violating government norms, misusing their positions and showing negligence in clearing files for personal interests."
"A preliminary inquiry conducted by a three-member committee, including an Additional District Magistrate, reportedly confirmed several complaints against them, following which Pathak ordered strict action."
Departmental proceedings were also ordered against Hardoi Medical Superintendent Dr Manoj Kumar Singh for allegedly failing to act against unauthorised private hospitals operating in the district and neglecting official responsibilities.
The health department has also sought an explanation from the Hardoi CMO over assigning senior-level responsibilities to a junior doctor despite the availability of senior officers in the district.
The statement said action has also been initiated against several doctors in separate cases related to alleged negligence in treatment, administrative lapses, improper medico-legal examinations and misconduct with colleagues.
Among them are Dr Shameem Akhtar of Prayagraj, doctors and a pharmacist posted at CHC Lambhua in Sultanpur, and two doctors at the district hospital in Mathura accused of negligence in preparing medico-legal reports in an assault case.
Departmental proceedings were also ordered against doctors posted in Balrampur, Varanasi, Badaun, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sambhal and other districts for alleged negligence in medical duties.
In another case, Dr Rituj Agrawal, an associate professor in the orthopaedics department of the government medical college in Badaun, faces disciplinary action over allegations of abusing and misbehaving with a woman doctor and another colleague.
Two doctors -- Dr Pratibha Yadav of Bahraich and Dr Rakesh Singh of Mathura -- have been awarded censure punishment in separate negligence-related cases.
The statement further said the deputation of Dr Aditya Pandey, who was posted with the State Health Agency under the cashless treatment scheme for government employees, has been terminated with immediate effect over alleged misconduct and inappropriate behaviour with a colleague.
He has been sent back to his original posting in Raebareli and departmental action has also been ordered, it added.
The government has also ordered withholding of salary increments in several cases. Dr Lalmani, a gynaecologist currently posted in Hamirpur, has been penalised with permanent stoppage of three increments and censure punishment over allegations of extortion from patients and misbehaviour during an earlier posting in Azamgarh.
Four increments of Dr Santosh Singh of Balrampur and two increments of Dr Nisha Bundela of Jhansi have also been withheld.
Action has also been directed against Dr Pawan Sahu, an orthopaedic surgeon at the trauma centre in Moth, Jhansi, after allegations of private practice against him were found to be true, the statement added.
