Imphal, September 10 (NNN): The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) demanded registration of an FIR case against the Assam Rifles besides a judicial inquiry into the Pallel incident in which two civilians were killed and over 80 others were wounded in a brutal crackdown by the paramilitary force on Friday.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan here, MPCC president K Meghachandra flayed the BJP-led government in Manipur for alleged inaction against the Assam Rifles even as they acted allegedly brutally against the civilians.
"Only condemnation and appraisal to the Centre are not enough for the excessive meted out to the civilians. The people of Manipur will not be satisfied with the cabinet decision passed on Saturday," he said. "Unable to take action against the paramilitary force is nothing but the weakness of the incumbent government", he further said.
Alleging that the Assam Rifles indulged in brutality towards the civilians despite the presence of the DIG of the Manipur police department and the SPs of Thoubal and Kakching, the Congress leader raised the question whether the state government is active or not.
The Pallel incident was nothing but showcasing the lack of coordination between the state and Central governments, Meghachandra said.
He demanded that the state government should lodge an FIR against the Assam Rifles officers and personnel involved in the unfortunate incident. They should be booked and punished under relevant laws, he further demanded.
"The state government should also institute an appropriate inquiry like a judicial inquiry into the incident. The Unified Command which is currently headed by security advisor Kuldiep Singh should also serve an explanation call from the top ranking officials of the Assam Rifles authority regarding the brutal crackdown", he also said.
Meghachandra also said that the Congress party strongly condemned the excesses meted out to the civilians by the troops of the paramilitary forces.