IMPHAL, September 5: The Irungbam Irabanta kidnapping case took a new turn today, with the state Home Minister Gaikhangam acknowledging that the NSCN (IM) had a hand in the alleged kidnapping of the missing contractor.
According to representatives of the women vendors who met with the Home Minister today, the Home Minister during the meeting acknowledged the NSCN (IM)’s involvement in the alleged kidnapping.
The Minister had however added that the culprits being a militant outfit, the government is unable to take action at the earliest, she told media persons.
Seven representatives of the women vendors of Khwairamband bazar today met with the state Home Minister Gaikhangam after failing to meet with the state Chief Minister.
Speaking to media persons at the Khwairamband bazar, spokesperson Laishram ongbi Mema Devi said the Home Minister has given his assurance that the government is putting in every effort on the case.
She continued that during the meeting, the women vendors pressurized the state government to take up effective steps for the immediate safe release of Irungbam Irabanta.
The seven member team has given a September 10 deadline for the state government to bring out missing Irabanta or face several forms of agitations from the next day.
They had further declared that the government should be held responsible for any untoward incident resulting due to the failure of the government to solve the case.
Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that women vendors of the Khwairamband Keithel had taken out a rally demanding the safe release of Irungbam Iranbanta this morning around 9am under the BT Flyover. Irabanta’s wife was also present in the rally.
However, the police barred the demonstrators from proceeding much further.
A minor scuffle occurred between the security personnel and the protesters, however no one was hurt.