New Delhi, March 11, 2010: "Anyone who fools around with law would not be spared".

This was categorically asserted by Chief Minister O Ibobi in connection with the alleged �accidental� shooting of Advocate General, N Koteshwor while participating in the general discussion in the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

Meanwhile, the licensed gun and the licence of the Minister concerned have been confiscated, informed the Chief Minister in the House on the concluding of the 7th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Clarifying various charges, the Chief Minister stated that the incident occurred on the late evening of Saturday last when Works Minister K Ranjit, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii and Advocate General N Koteshwor were returning together in the same car from Ukhrul after attending a public function.

The Chief Minister told the House that on that fateful day, while the two Ministers were travelling together sitting in the rear seat, Works Minister Ranjit complained that the gun being carried by Thaisii was bothering his thigh while the vehicle was swaying.

Thaisii then took his licensed gun out of its holster.

On seeing the gun, Ranjit said that it was a nice gun, and took it from Thaisii.

He removed the magazine, kept it on the seat and tried pulling the trigger thinking that there was no bullet in the chamber.

But there was one bullet in the chamber, and the unfortunate incident happened.

It was accidental, and not intentional.

Fortunately, the condition of Koteshwor is out danger now, Shri Ibobi said.

He further said that he had called the two Ministers and the DGP to ascertain the facts about the incident.

Now, Lamlai police have registered an FIR in connection with the case and the legal process is in progress, informed O Ibobi while responding to a question raised by the opposition leader, Radhabinod Koijam.

The Chief Minister further told the House that when he went to Shija hospital to enquire about the condition of Advocate General, Koteshwor, media-persons surrounded him and asked him various questions.

As the person, who had shot Koteshwor, had not fled or absconded, and that he had already confessed and apologised for the act, he simply had expressed his opinion that there was no need for further inquiry into the incident.

The FIR had been registered since when the Centre asked questions about the incident, the state government would not be able answer.

Besides, there is no question of instituting an inquiry into the death of a VIP, notably a Minister and not doing the same in the death of a commoner, he said.