IMPHAL, December 23: Addressing a press conference at the Head Office of the BJP, the party has claimed that the Manipur government is helpless and that a Special Session of the Assembly needs to be called regarding the current incident. The conference was attended by, Sh Shanti Kumar Sharma, BJP President, Th Chaoba and Irabot.
Speaking to the media, BJP President, Thounaojam Chaoba said,” The Manipur government has failed to arrest the culprit because of its inaction.” He further claimed that even now, the government despite being aware about the whereabouts of the culprit accused in the Chandel incident is letting the culprits got away scot-free.
He further maintained that the Indian Government should order the NSCN (IM) to hand over the culprit to the Manipur state government. “The Indian government and the NSCN (IM) are in a peace talk but they are disobeying the rule? How can the Manipur government allow the keeping of NSCN (IM) designated camp in Manipur .Further, saying that the people of Manipur will not be able to remain in peace till the said NSCN (IM) cadre Livingstone is booked, he urged the state Government and the Centre to take up appropriate measures to maintain peace.
Strongly condemning the incident at Chandel, appealed for calm.
Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council has condemned with strongest sentiment the recent alleged assault of Manipuri film actress Momoko by a NSCN (IM) cadre at Chandel and condoled the killing of Prime News channel correspondent identified as Thangjam Dwijamani alias Nanao (36) by security personnel terming it as very shocking incident. A 1 minute silence was observed at Irawat Bhawan for the peace of the departed soul today.
Addressing media persons at a press conference at Irawat Bhawan today, State Secretary of CPI Dr M Nara said the assault is purely a criminal act and the accused should be arrested and punished immediately. The police personnel who watched the incident silently should be punished equally, Dr. Nara said.
Nara further said the state and central governments should be held responsible for the misdeeds of the NSCN (IM) but maintained that the issue should not be brought to communal line. He further appealed to all concerned to relax the bandh in view of the Christmas festival.
Artist Naba Volcano who was also present at the press conference expressed his grief on the assault of an artist at Chandel and termed the incident as horrible. “However, considering the upcoming Christmas festival the agitators are appealed to relax the bandh so that the hill people who had came here for shopping could go back home. We have to recall that during our festival time, Nagas or Kukis have relaxed their agitations when appealed. If we called off the bandh then I feel that Naga people would not hide Livingstone. Let us agitate after Christmas”, he said.
A press release sent out by Thamarjit Karam, MLA Keirao and a member of the MSCP has said that the MSCP party strongly condemn the incident of assaulting an artist on the 18th December at Chandel. Calling for the culprit named in the case to be punished, the press note said that the party was are following up the initiatives of the Government of Manipur. It further requested all the concerned authorities for a peaceful situation to be created so that everyone in the State can happily celebrate the eve of Christmas and New Year 2013.