Mobile internet services in Manipur to be restored soon, says CM
Imphal,(PTI): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said mobile internet services will be restored in the state within "four to five days."
Speaking at a public programme at the mini secretariat in the Naga-dominated Ukhrul district after a cabinet meeting, Singh said, "I understand people's hardships because of the mobile internet ban. The government was forced to impose it because some elements always try to take advantage of the situation and create trouble. However, I want to assure you that services will be restored in the next four to five days."
During the day, Singh laid the foundation stones of several projects and inaugurated a number of schemes worth Rs 64.38 crore in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
Highlighting population growth in the district capital and related land issues, Singh mooted the idea of developing a new Ukhrul township near Sirarakhong village.
"I want to say that the government is keen on developing Ukhrul as per the wishes of the people," Singh said.
Singh said, "Ukhrul is an important town after Imphal but water scarcity is a major problem. To resolve the issue, Rs 6 crore has been sanctioned for augmentation of water supply in the town," Singh said, adding that there is also a plan to construct a dam at a cost of Rs 180 crore to Rs 200 crore.
Singh thanked civil society leaders and village chiefs for their unwavering support in the anti-drug campaign in the state.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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