Manipur cabinet steps up fight against lynching with new bill

The Manipur cabinet today decided to introduce the Manipur Mob Violence Control and Prohibition Bill to stop increasing incidences of lynchings in the state, a state minister said on Wednesday.

Government spokesperson and state Works Minister, Th Bishwajit said that the bill would be introduced in the House soon to "check injustice".

"Incidents of giving instant punishment by mobs without trial has increased (in the state)", he told newsmen after the cabinet meeting where the decision to introduce the bill was taken. The cabinet meeting was held at Jiribam, the first such to be held outside the state capital town of Imphal.

Jiribam is about 200 kms from here. It was preceded by launching of the helicopter service between Imphal and Jiribam town by Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Biren said his government has been working for the introduction of chopper services in the landlocked state since its formation last year.

"The services would soon be extended to other hill towns soon", he said. It takes about six and a half hours to cover the distance between Imphal and Jiribam by road and travelers have to face blockades periodically.

In a chopper the distance would be covered in 35 minutes, transport department officials said.