Our Correspondent
Imphal | February 29
Under pressure from all quarters, the Manipur Home Department today revoked the suspension order of five commandos of the Manipur state police, accused of assaulting leaders of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on February 14. Official sources informed that the suspension order of five cops including a sub-inspector had been cancelled this morning. An order to this effect has been issued by the Home Department, they said.
The personnel suspended on February 26 after NSF, demanding action against the cops, imposed a vehicle ban in all Naga-dominated areas. The NSF stir had been called off after the cops were suspended. Manipur DGP LM Khaute had also announced a departmental inquiry into the incident.
Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh chaired a meeting of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) yesterday following strong protest from 20 party legislators against the decision suspending the five cops. The Congress MLAs even urged CM Ibobi to remove Home Minister Gaikhangam over the order. Ibobi assured the CLP meeting that the suspension order would be revoked.
Gaikhangam, who also holds the Deputy CM’s post, had been targeted by the MLAs and student bodies like All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) and major political parties for his recent statement in the state assembly that the NSF delegates were not harassed by the police personnel who were on duty. The five cops were suspended hours after Gaikhangam’S statement.
NSF calls for
Emergency Meeting
The NSF has meanwhile called for an “Emergency Presidential Council Meeting” on March 3 at Japfü Hotel, at 12 noon. The meeting will discuss the revocation order to the suspended Manipur police commando personnel by the Government of Manipur. The NSF in a press statement has requested all the Federating Units, Subordinate Bodies and the seniors of NSF to attend the meeting.
