Imphal, October 31: The former Speaker of the state Assembly, Dr Sapam Dhananjoy Singh has said that June 18 was a day of great personal humiliation for him, but declared that it was a very important day in the history of Manipur.

Dr Dhananjoy, who was at the centre of events on June 18, gave his testimony before the C Upendra commission of inquiry today.

Describing the events that followed the signing of the Bangkok agreement between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) on June 14,2001, he recalled that the state's MLAs, at a meeting held at his chambers, had adopted a resolution opposing the ceasefire extension and pledging to protect Manipur's integrity.

The same resolution was submitted to the Governor after a short rally by the MLAs on the morning of the 16th, he recalled.

Dr Dhananjoy further said that he had asked several MLAs to meet him at the Assembly on June 18 to further discuss the issue, and ex-MLAs K Tomba, N Bihari and K Ranjit turned up that morning.

He said that at around 10 am some youths who identified themselves as members of the Manipuri Students Federation came lo meet him and they discussed the ceasefire extension Issue.

The youths left after asking for financial assistance, he stated.

At about 11 am, he said, he saw from a window a large crowd approaching the Assembly building, and thereafter came out of his room and stood on the Assembly verandah.

He said the large crowd suddenly surrounded him, and he was manhandled and berated with abusive words, and forced to shout slogans.

He said he told the crowd then that he was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of Manipur's territorial integrity.

He said that while he was still inside the Assembly complex, he saw some portion of the Assembly building on fire, but stated that he did not see anyone set the fire.

He said that thereafter he was forced to walk upto the road leading to the Raj Bhavan gate.

In the meantime, he said, he was physically assaulted and manhandled by the crowd, some of whom blamed him for bringing down the government in the state.

Others in the crowd however tried to protect him from being assaulted, he said.

He added that upon reaching the southern gate of the Raj Bhavan, he was pushed inside the complex by the crowd.

He said thereafter he rushed inside the Raj Bhavan building and sought permission to meet the Governor, but permission was denied.

Dr Dhananjoy also stated that he did not think the burning of the Assembly building was pre-planned.

Comment