IMPHAL, January 4: Following a cabinet meeting today, the Manipur Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of Shankarlal Swami, proprietor of Mangalam Plywood factory who was allegedly murdered by four persons including two IRB personnel. Further, Shankarlal’s murder case will be handed over to the CBI. This was said by Education Minister M Okendro Singh while briefing media persons at his office chamber this evening after the state cabinet meeting today.
The cabinet has also approved the formation of a special scheme for surrender cum rehabilitation of militants in the state of Manipur, the Minister informed media persons while adding that the announcement of the ex-gratia of Rs five lakh next to the kin of Shankarlal has been made on moral grounds due to the involvement of security forces in the alleged crime.
He also confirmed the involvement of four persons in the alleged murder case of Shankarlal including two 1st IRB personnel and one ‘surrenderee’ KCP cadre.
It may be mentioned here that among the four involved persons, three have nabbed along with the Maruti Gypsy and weapons used in the alleged crime yesterday by the police except for the ‘surrenderee’ KCP cadre identified as Oinam Govin Singh, son of (late) O Angou Singh, of Waheng Kuman Mayai Leikai.
Govin was later picked up from a AR post in Churachandpur district late evening today, a seperate source informed.
“To give a befitting reply the state government has decided to hand over the case to an independent body, CBI, to award severe punishment according to the law of the land,” the Minister said.
Stating that the state cabinet has also approved the formation of a special scheme for surrender cum rehabilitation of militants in the state of Manipur, the Minister said that the Centre has given its nod to go ahead with the scheme. He also said that there is already a similar scheme of the state but this is the revised version. There will be special package for ‘surrenderees’ under this scheme, the Minister further informed.
“Some valley based UGs have expressed their desire to return to normal life by giving up arms and the state and central government has accepted their proposal in principal,” the Minister claimed.
When pressed to reveal the name of the group, the Minister declined on the grounds that the public would know soon in due course of time when the surrender or `homecoming` program took place.
Meanwhile, according to a reliable source, the four accused in the murder of Shankarlal has been remanded in police custody for seven days. Additionally, the body of the deceased was flown back to his native place after post mortem was conducted.