IMPHAL, October 12: State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio today visited the residential quarters of John Lareng, the chairman of ADC Ukhrul, at Sangakpham in connection with the blast yesterday inside the campus of quarter.
In words that seemed to hint towards a particular Naga militant outfit, the Deputy CM said that an underground militant outfit which is presently in peace talks with the Government of India was involved in the explosion and further condemned the act.
Further continuing his tirade over the outfit, he said the said outfit has reduced itself to attacking the Autonomous District Councils as its main objective.
Those involved will be surely arrested, he averred.
This particular outfit is also known for its involvement and interference in petty individual matters and even to the extent of killing members of civil society organizations, thereby contaminating its own ideology and philosophy, the Home Minister said.
On the ADC issue, he said there were demands for the council’s election and complaints against the government for not holding it in the past with charges against the government of siphoning off the funds meant for ADCs and now, restrictions imposed with violence against the ADC election.
While trying to present itself as a good and people friendly organization, the said militant outfit has threatened to kill all ADC members who set their feet on the hills of the state, which blows away the cover of their evils, he said.
The Dy CM continued that in case such incidents prevail for long, it would not be long before the people come up to arms which will only create civil war.
The Manipur government is expecting a peaceful solution to the ongoing peace process and is ready to extend all possible help, he maintained.
Gaikhangam appealed the ADC members to laud the government instead of criticising it and urged them to come out strongly and face the challenges before them and not remain as cowards.
He further instructed the members not to allow anyone other than their family stay in their homes for their own safety and assured a thorough investigation in this regard.
The state Dy CM was accompanied by Minister RD&PR Francis Ngajokpa and MP, Rajya Sabha Rishang Keishing.
Meanwhile, the Ukhrul ADC chairman John Lareng opined that he has no clue as to who the blast was aimed at as he has never received any personal threat to his life.
Meanwhile, while condemning the bomb blast, the Autonomous District Council (ADC) Ukhrul has fervently appealed to all concerned, whoever committed the inhuman crime that anything or any misunderstanding can be settled on human nature of love and understanding.
A statement of ADC Ukhrul said attempting life of any body for any matter cannot solve any issue.
According to the Newmai News Network, the Tangkhul Katamnao Long Imphal (TKLI) has strongly condemned the attack and life attempt on the chairman ADC Ukhrul by unidentified miscreants at Shangakpham Imphal at around 3:30 pm on Friday. “We appeal to the perpetrators to openly come out and clarify on the grievous crime and amend themselves so that peaceful co-existence and all-embracing atmosphere prevails in our disturbed land,” the NNN quoted the student body.