NSCN-IM behind Sangakpham blast: CM

IMPHAL, August 2: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has today announced that the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isaac-Muivah) faction was behind the Sangakpham blast which killed four civilians including two school girls and injuring seven others.

Briefing media persons in this regard at his official bungalow during the declaration of RMSA graduate teachers recruitment result, the Chief Minister stated that intelligence output has revealed that the identity of the maimed individual at the Sangakpham blast, who remained unknown till yesterday has been confirmed as an active cadre of the NSCN-IM, identified as one Anthony s/o Bonkulung of Sadu Koireng.

He further maintained that the registration number of the Bajaj scooter (Chetak) suspected to be used in the blast has also been established as NL-O1E/1394 and the owner is identified as one K. Daniel s/o K. Angami of Diphu Par, Dimapur.

He further stated that initial investigations have indicated that the blast took place when Anthony the prime suspect of the blast, was on the two wheeler in which the explosive was planted.

“This indicates his in-experience in handling explosive”, said O Ibobi.

The blast occurred just after the vehicles of members of district councils passed past the spot. This blast was aimed at the members of district councils who are housed in a nearby guest house complex of district councils, he further stated.

In addition to that, the Chief Minister also disclosed that the government of Manipur has received concrete and convincing evidence which establishes the direct involvement of NSCN-IM in the series of recent violent activities which have left several innocent civilians dead and many seriously injured in  various parts of the state in recent times.

Further elaborating on the various violent incidents, he pointed out that the first incident was the ambush on Phungyar MLA on April 15 which had left eight Manipur Rifle escort personnel dead and seven others injured.

Subsequently a bomb blast on May 28 at Khuman Lampak complex apparently with the intention to target members and officials of the district councils who are functioning from there due to the threat held out by the NSCN-IM had left three members of a family injured.

He further pointed out that on July 9 another bomb was detected in a scooter from the Sangakpham market which too was aimed at the ADC guest house complex at that place.

Thereafter on July 24, the outfit killed a couple at Lungphu village in Ukhrul district and had openly claimed the responsibility for the same.

The fifth incident in the series was the hand grenade attack on MDC office at Ukhrul on July 23 while yesterday’s blast at Sangakpham is the sixth such incident, the Chief Minister added.

Referring to the mentioned incidents he stated that it is amply clear that the NSCN-IM has been directly responsible for at least six major violent incidents in the recent past.

He opined that these acts of terror are quite clearly designed to thwart the democratic processes taken up by the government of Manipur to introduce the democratic decentralization by successfully conducting elections to the six district councils which had remained dormant for over two decades. However the state government will not spare any culprit behind terrorism, maintained Ibobi. 

Terming the act as anti-nation and anti people, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, disclosed that the state government has apprised the central government and has started pressuring the central government to revoke the ongoing Indo-NSCN (IM) cease fire as the Naga militant group has continued with open acts of terrorism in the state, and also added that the people of Manipur are suffering on account of such incidents.

The Chief Minister has also appealed to the people of Manipur to maintain peace, tranquility and communal harmony to prevent any misunderstanding. He held that the Manipur government is committed to fight all evil designs of the NSCN-IM and other such forces as are perpetrating such terrorist acts. The state government seeks the support and co-operation of people to fight against such forces in a united manner.

While responding to queries on the security measures taken up for the ADC members citing the several attacks, the Chief Minister revealed that a location has been identified to build a multi complex to house the members which includes office and accommodation.

The press conference was attended by IFCD minister N. Biren, education minister DD. Thaisii, MOBC minister Md. Allaudin, DGP Manipur and commissioner education (s).