Dy CM likens Ukhrul attack to waging war
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 24 2016: While pointing the finger at NSCN-IM for the attack against a Ministerial team led by Chief Minister O Ibobi today at Ukhrul, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam likened the attack to waging war against the State and the Nation as a whole.

Speaking to media persons in his office chamber at Old Secretariat regarding the daring attack at Ukhrul today morning in which two police personnel were injured in addition to setting ablaze two police vehicles, Gaikhangam stated that a Ministerial team comprising of Chief Minister O Ibobi, Law Minister I Hemochandra, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Deputy Speaker Preshow Shimray, Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing and himself went to Ukhrul this morning for inauguration of a 50 bedded hospital and other development projects taken up by the State Government in Ukhrul district. Ahead of the scheduled visit to Ukhrul, a high level security meeting was held with Assam Rifles, Army and State Police regarding security measures put in place at Ukhrul.

He expressed strong suspicion that the attack was carried out by NSCN-IM as CSOs based in Ukhrul would not have access to lethod guns, sophisticated weapons and bombs.

The attack was a highest form of violence committed by banned NSCN-IM.

The attack was not an attack upon CM O Ibobi.

It was against the State and the Nation as a whole.

It was an attack on development.

NSCN-IM does not want to bring development in Ukhrul and other hills districts of the State and it was testified by today's attack against leaders of the State who have been working hard to bring about all round development in both the hills and the valley, Gaikhangam stated.

The Ministerial team led by the Chief Minister was visiting Ukhrul with all the good intentions to bring peace, solidarity and development in Ukhrul district.

The attack was a dastardly act carried out by some uncultured persons.

The Deputy Chief Minister also said asked whether the attack was carried out in the interest of the people of Ukhrul or against the interest of people.

NSCN-IM must stop waging war against the Government as the Government will not remain a mute spectator.

The Government will give befitting reply to the attack.

NSCN-IM which is under a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in Nagaland has violated all the ground rules of cease fire by carrying out the attack upon the Ministerial team led by the Chief Minister of Manipur.

The Chief Minister went to Ukhrul with a development package for the people of Ukhrul district.

The CM was about to hand over the 50 bedded hospital as a gift to the people of Ukhrul which would be later upgraded to a 100 bedded hospital.

The Ministerial team was also planning to commission two power stations with a view to enhance power supply in the district as well as various other development works taken up by the State Government in the district.

The State Government will not be cowered by the attack but a Ministerial team will again go to Ukhrul to inaugurate the hospital, power stations and other projects in a short period of time, he said.

When asked whether there were any security lapses, Gaikhangam replied that the attack was quite unexpected.

Nonetheless, the Government will hold a security review meeting.

It was a very big lesson for the State Government from the security point of view, he said.

The State Government has always made it clear in the past that there is no ceasefire with NSCN-IM in Manipur and there is no designated camp of NSCN-IM in the State.

The State Government will give a detailed account of today's attack to the Government of India with more than enough evidence that NSCN- IM has been operating in Manipur despite their declaration that there is no cease fire between NSCN-IM and Government of India in Manipur.

Firing started soon after the Ministerial team was airlifted from Ukhrul by suspected NSCN-IM cadres as they were frustrated because their intention to create a chaotic situation was not unfolding.

After monitoring the situation for around one hour, the Ministerial team were of the opinion that they could go forward.

But on seeing some anti-social elements who were hiding among women and children with a sinister design to create violent confrontation between police and innocent people, the team decided to turn back to Imphal, Gaikhangam recounted.

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