Murder of MPP VP Manisana Assassin in custody: Dy CM informs House
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 27 2014 : One URF cadre involved in the assassination of MPP vice-president Haobijam Manisana who contested the Assembly election thrice has been arrested, stated Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Gaikhangam on the floor of the House today.

He stated that the case related to firing attacks upon MLA Th Shyamkumar has been withdrawn following an understanding.

Raising a call attention motion, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that with the law and order situation becoming more volatile, politicians are increasingly targeted.

Responding to the call attention motion, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that MPP vice-president Haobijam Manisana was shot dead at Changangei Ucheckon area on October 13 last year.

One Y Mani alias Telheiba of Thoubal Khong Ahanbi involved in the assassination of Manisana was arrested by police on January 4 this year, and he is currently lodged in judicial custody.

Mani alias Telheiba was a cadre of KCP (Nongdrenkhomba group) before he joined URF.

File pic of the car inside which Manisan was shot dead on Oct 13 last year

From his disclosure, it has been learnt that he killed Manisana at the instruction of URF's S/S commander Lemba alias Binodhor.

Informing that Lemba alias Binodhor is from Thanga Chingkha, Gaikhangam asked how long he can evade the law.

Claiming that security given to VVIPs, VIPs and common people in Manipur is greater as compared to other States, the Deputy Chief Minister stated security escorts are being given to sitting MLAs as well as ex-MLAs, candidates and officers who perceive threats.

Appealing to all Ministers and MLAs to inform the Home Minister if they are going on tour beyond greater Imphal area, Gaikhangam said that when due information is given, additional escorts are allotted apart from instructing security personnel deployed along the routes to be on alert.

On learning that H Manisana was threatened by a UG group, concerned SPs and police stations were informed and 'area security' was given in his every movement.

Even as Manisana provided details of his tour programmes, he did not give any information about his tour programmes on the fateful day.

With no information available and his movement unknown to the Home Department, security personnel could not be alerted.

Had due information been given, the tragedy could have been averted.

If the family of the deceased demands ex-gratia, the demand would be considered favourably, stated the Deputy Chief Minister.

With regard to the firing attack on MLA Th Shyamkumar in which the assailants ran inside an army camp, Gaikhangam said that two confusing propositions have emerged.

Saying that the MLA informed him about the attack soon after, Gaikhangam maintained that an FIR case was registered at Heingang police station immediately and launched due investigation.

The Home Minister's suggestion to come back after noting down vehicle registration number of the assailants and take up the matter through the State DGP and the army's counterpart instead of waiting for the assailants at the gate of army's Leimakhong camp was turned down by the MLA.

It took some time to establish whether the attack was undertaken by army men or surrenderees or anti-social elements.

Later, IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip and MTDC Chairman Manga Vaiphei confessed that the mischievous attack was undertaken by some of their men, and they also conveyed their readiness to apologise for the same.

The assailants who ran into the army camp after firing at the MLA are Soson Vaiphei and Lalboi Vaiphei.

They belong to Leimakhong Mission Veng.

Soson Vaiphei is a son of the village chief and Lalboi Vaiphei is a personnel of 2nd MR.They were returning after repairing their vehicle at an automobile workshop when they find themselves moving behind the MLA and his escorts.

As they signalled to overtake the MLA's team, security escorts not only caned them but also fired at one of the wheels of their vehicle.

This punctured one of the tyres and they decided to drive into the army camp.

On their (Lalboi and Soson) request, the two sides came to an agreement and the MLA has agreed to withdraw case, Gaikhangam informed the House.

Earlier rising the call attention motion, Dr Ibohalbi said that all politicians are under threats.

He cited the assassination of H Manisana and attack upon Th Shyamkumar.

Informing that he was under severe threats, Manisana appealed to the Home Department to take up security measures and monitor his movements, stated Dr Ibohalbi.

Had the State Government taken necessary security measures in time, Manisana would be still alive.

Dr Ibohalbi went on to question as to why no security escorts were allotted even after knowing that some elements were going to make life attempts on Manisana.