Vested interests behind violence at Yairipok Singa: MLA Meghachandra
Singa villagers reaffirm boycott of MLA
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 20 2011:
MLA K Meghachandra said today that yesterday's attack on him and his men at Singa village was instigated by vested interests.
However villagers of Yairipok Singa reaffirmed their stand on a continued boycott of the local MLA.
Talking to reporters at his official quarters in Imphal, MLA Meghachandra charged that the violence yesterday at Yairipok Singa took place on the instigation of Md Kadir, who is planning to contest the Assembly election as an independent candidate.
He asserted that that he has come to understand the involvement of UGs suspected to belong to the PULF in the attack.
Meghachandra said appropriate action will be taken up in accordance with the law.
He recalled that there were tensions among villagers over MGNREGS job cards and that some villagers took the help of RTI to know the number of job card holders and their details.
The tension was heightened when an argument surfaced between Congress workers and some villagers over the invitation of a VIP in a function which was planned to be held yesterday in the village.
A straw pile near the house of Congress worker Md Maniruddin was set afire by unknown persons on June 18 following the argument.
He had gone to convey his shock to Maniruddin.
When he was sitting at the house of Maniruddin, some villagers started attacking the house.
As the tension hightened, he and his security escort left the place.
In self defence his escort personnel had to fire some rounds.
While attacking the house of Maniruddin, apparently by some MPP workers, guns were also fired from different directions.
This led to five persons including Tombi Bibi sustaining bullet injuries, the MLA informed the reporters.
Pointing out that constable Md Hesam of Yairipok PS, Md Hamit, Imphal East SDO, Md Idombi alias Nizamuddin, a havildar in 9 sector AR and Md Manir, a home guard personnel were the main instigators of the violence yesterday, the MLA informed that he had written letters to the authorities concerned to take action against them.
Meanwhile, villagers of Yairipok Singa today reaffirmed to continue the boycott of MLA Meghachandra until he realizes the sentiments of the villagers.
Speaking to reporters at the office of the All Manipur Pangal Muslim Women Organisation, Hatta, general secretary Md Abas of the Singa Apunba Lup said, demanded the MLA should bear the responsibility of damages that incurred in yesterday's violence as well as the injuries caused to the five people.
He alleged that the five people sustained injuries in the firing by the MLA and his gang.
He also demanded registration of a FIR case against the MLA by the Yairipok police.
Secretary Sakhira of the lup, who also spoke to reporters, alleged Meghachandra of making false promises to the villagers.
She said that villagers had spared land for construction of a water supply scheme in the village but the MLA had awarded the scheme on a personal basis to an individual.
She reiterated that villagers will continue to boycott him until he realizes his own mistakes.