Killing of non-locals: Govt holds brain storming session
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 12 2009: In the backdrop of the recent spate in killing of non-locals, chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today assessed the overall security situation of the State along with Chief Secretary Rakesh, and Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the four valley districts.

The meeting held from about 10.30 am at the CM's office chamber deliberated on the situation arising out of the killing spree with the main emphasis on beefing up security measures and extending security cover to the migrant workers by housing them at secure places.

Police transporting non-locals to the refugee camp

According to an official source, the CM advised the DCs concerned to arrange food provision of the distressed migrant workers while the SPs briefed the State's Home Minister regarding temporary relief camps set up at Dharmshala and Kalibari in Imphal West district while in the remaining three valley districts more stringent security steps are being initiated.

on the otherhand, Inspector General of Police (LO) V Zathang, currently the DGP in-charge conceded that there is no definite clue as to which UG group or groups are responsible for the recent spate of killings.

Talking to The Sangai Express in his office chamber, Zathang significantly cautioned that possibility of some 'others' perpetrating the crime in the name of UGs cannot be ruled out as 'had been reported in the past'.

Referring to last night's shooting of six non-locals at Iroisemba area near the Central Agricultural University (CAU) out of whom four have succumbed, the DGP in-charge said he personally inspected the incident spot this morning and found it perplexing why the migrant workers were targeted.

Confiding that security alert has been sounded in all the four valley districts as pre-emptive measures, the police officer further informed of plans to establish a police picket in or near CAU owing to isolated nature of location of the University.

Further expressing that till date neither Government Departments nor contractors concerned who engage non-local labourers intimate police authorities of engaging these migrant workers at worksites, the senior IPS officer also said taking into account the situation non-manipuri labourers too need to take extreme caution before they venture out as police protection to each and every non-locals is very remote.

nevertheless, there is no laxity on the part of the police force to ensure overall security of the citizens, Zathang added.

Significantly the State police had earlier claimed that some cadres of the proscribed UNLF were involved in the killing of the contractor and driver of ANSAL Ltd at Bishnupur district as well as the killing of a barber at Thoubal in the early part of this month.

The State Government had also announced a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakh for any information and inputs that could lead to the arrest of the cadres, whose names and addresses were announced in the media.