Our Correspondent
Imphal | March 15
A joint action committee (JAC) has strongly demanded that the Manipur government penalize NSCN (IM) militants involved in the March 10 incident wherein 11 local labourers were allegedly beaten up and Rs 2.5 lakh snatched away at Heirok village of Thoubal district.
Heirok is located some 33 km from capital Imphal. News reports here reported heavily armed NSCN (IM) militants numbering around 15 beat up the labourers without any provocation.
“The act of assault against labourers by NSCN (IM) militants was a very unfortunate incident,” Laishram Mandir Singh, a JAC leader told a press meet at the Press Club here. He demanded that punishment be meted out to the Naga outfit’s militants involved in the incident.
He dubbed the outfit a “terrorist organisation” and said the group under ceasefire with the Government of India should not commit such crimes which could incite tension between communities.
Laishram said the work site where the assault took place falls under the jurisdiction of Thoubal, not Chandel district. He urged upon the government to look into the matter to prevent repetition of such incidents.
Chandel BJP blames Congress for district’s backwardness
In another development, BJP Chandel blamed the Congress government headed by Okram Ibobi Singh for backwardness in the district.
A statement said denizens of the hill district have suffered untold miseries owing to alleged negligence of the state government. The statement released by general secretary, Organisation, Chandel BJP said funds meant for schemes and development have been siphoned off by the Ibobi government.
It said there is no development for the district due to dereliction of duty by various government district level officers and employees.
