Killings spark controversy

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL, January 8: The killings of Biren Puyam, the ’home secretary’ and Tiken Keithellakpam, the ’assistant fince secretary’ of the United Revolutiory Front in an "encounter" on January 6 raises more questions than answers.

Police claim that they had recovered two 9 mm pistols, ammunition and extortion letters.

To borrow an expletive from a report, it was reported that "like sharp shooters the police could kill both the insurgents by squarely hitting in the heads".

The unspoken words are that in the encounter the police could cleanly hit both the heads.

After the incidents, police identified both the deceased and their affiliations. Besides, they further said that both the dead persons were involved in the two bomb blasts in the Imphal town in which at least five migrant workers were killed.

It may be recalled that the pro–talk group of the URF under the command of Lalheiba Meitei had come overground after signing the suspension of operations. But they broke camp shortly as they were disillusioned with the government apathy. Some inmates were arrested by police on several charges. Besides, cases against them were not withdrawn and as such most of them had to appear in the NIA court in Guwahati by footing the expenses from their pockets.

After breaking the camp they had demanded the arms they had deposited while coming overground. There was no response from the government.

In another incident, Ojit Longjam was seriously wounded in a bomb blast at Dimapur in galand on Monday. The galand police say that he is a member of the outlawed People’s Revolutiory Party of Kangleipak.

However, his statement cannot be obtained since he is in a serious condition in the hospital.

Sources said that Longjam had surrendered to the Manipur government in 2011. He has been eking out a living as a  driver–cum–cleaner in a passenger bus. On Sunday, he was lured out by two friends for going to Dimapur. The two friends are absconding.

Police had found two more unexploded bombs at Dimapur. These were neutralised by the army bomb experts. He had been arrested in 2011 in connection with an arms case in Manipur.

Meanwhile, several ga civil organisations have condemned the incident.

They said that some persons coming from outside are creating law and order problems at Dimapur. They are demanding strict vigilance against such persons. They said that the Republic Day is approaching and the government should ensure that there is a peaceful celebration of the function.