Contradictory claims surface over alleged 'assault'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 08 2021: Thongju Kendra Tengbang Lup (TKTL) has urged Works Minister Th Biswajit to stop 'threatening' its members at the earliest and take full responsibility if he continues.

Briefing journalists at Manipur Press Club today, TKTL general secretary, Jawan Mutum claimed that the Minister, who is also the MLA of Thougju Kendra 'assaulted' their executive member Lemba Maimom from Ningomthong Kitna Panung on February 7 at around 11.35 pm by visiting the latter's place.

Saying that TKTL only focuses on the development of Thongju AC, he appealed to all to stop threatening its members.

Lemba Maimom (23) said that 4 people in civil dress carrying guns came to his house from the backyard yesterday midnight.

"Fearing life attempt, I took my license gun for defence," he claimed, adding that he saw the Minister only later.

Saying that he dropped his gun after seeing Biswajit, he charged that the Minister and his security started assaulting him after he dropped his gun.

He also claimed that the security shot two-three rounds of bullets when he was hiding in their Lainingthou room after escaping assault.

They broke the lock and started beating me again despite my mother's attempt to pacify the situation, he said.

Saying that he took out his license gun only to protect himself from threat, Lemba added that he truly has no intention of attacking the Minister.

Lemba also said that he has no enmity with the Minister, but work for Seram Neken, who is intending to contest in the election.

However, a press release issued by the , PA to the Works Minister said that Biswajit attempted to meet Lemba as he (Lemba) uploaded some posts on Facebook which might tarnish his image.

Being a man from the same neighbourhood, the Minister opted to talk with Lemba himself instead of complaining to Cyber Crime Police Station, added the statement.

The PA claimed that Lemba , as if he received prior information of the Minister's visit, allegedly pointed his double barrel gun at the Minister.

Seeing the threat, the escort in uniform evacuated the Minister to a safe place and asked Lemba to drop his gun, he said alleging that Lemba, instead, went inside his house and fired a bullet.

After overpowering Lemba, the escort snatched his gun, said the PA and added that the gun has been handed over to Irilbung Police Station in the presence of Imphal East SP.

The Minister accepted the apologies of Lemba's family and took no action, but, as the Zilla Parishad Member Seram Neken and Lemba filed a contradictory complaint to Irilbung PS, a complaint has been submitted to the police station to find out the truth of the incident, he added.

The PA also said that the escorts of Biswajit were only performing their duty as safety of the Minister is their topmost priority and added that the action and statement of Lemba seems to have political influence.

Comment