Bomb Attack at ADC:: Gaikhangam hit out at 'THEM'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 12, 2013: In words and tone that have never been heard from the mouth of any politician born in Manipur, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has described the yesterday's bomb attack at the complex of Autonomous District Council (ADC) located at Shangakpham as a perfect manifestation of 'desperate attempt of frustrated minds' to destabilise democratic system of governance in Manipur.

"Will they get their demand by killing some ADC members?", Gaikhangam, who is also in charge of Home, blurted out in anger, while taking stock of the damages caused in the bomb attack, today.

Without naming of any particular UG group responsible for the bomb attack, Gaikhangam said, "� just want to question whether their demand has come down to the level of the Council.

They should come out with an explanation over their coward and uncivilised act".

"After all these years of supposedly working for the cause of the land and its people, why they have come down to this level and are involving themselves in the affairs of church and election of social organisations?", Gaikhangam wondered, and added that all these show that 'they are at the death end of the road'.

Continuing to show his anger over the bomb attack, Gaikhangam pointed out, "How many times they have petitioned the Government of India, saying ADCs have not been set up in the hills, or elections not conducted for allowing the ADCs to function properly for the development of the hill areas.

But they impose ban when the election was held.

This is nothing double-stsnbdard".

Gaikhangam recalled that it was after they complained to the Prime Minister that elections to ADCs had not been conducted for more than 20 years that the Prime Minister directed the Government of Manipur to conduct the elections at the earliest with strict instruction that the plan amount would not be sanctioned if the election was not conducted.

So after due consideration of all the difficulties that might be faced, the State Government conducted the election.

But when the election time comes, they pretended to love the hill people and imposed ban on the election and threatened the candidates.

"So, what is their intention and objective behind all these flipancy of changing stand and issuing threats to candidates?", Gaikhangam posed.

Talking about the challenges and threats that he had faced in life so far, Gaikhangam said, "I have grown up amidst threats and dangers.

With exception to the timing from 7 to 8 o'�lock at night, I grew up hearing the sound of gun-firing and bomb explosion almost every day.

So, I have no fear for gun or bomb attack.

If I were to die, I would die one day or the other surely even if they don't kill me.

It is the God's will that I have survived and lived till today despite numerous attacks on my life from them".

Echoing what he had said during election time, Gaikhangam said, "Just as they have people backing them, we have our workers.

If they killed us, our workers could kill them.

Just as every rat seen could be killed after the one which has gone and hidden inside its hole could not be killed, their family members could be targeted.

But what is the point.

Instead of killing each other, it is better to live together peacefully.

If it is about dying together, it is another thing".

Gaikhangam further said, "In Manipur, there was one SI Lokhon, who was fearless.

He alone could create hell for them.

It is not a difficult thing for many more Lokhon to come.

But at that time, they would suffer and we will feel bad.

It is we who are going to lost from any fratricidal killing".

Gaikhangam said that he could not cast his vote in the last Assembly election.

It was not due to fear that he did not go.

But at the advice of his workers who told him that it was of no use to confront them and he got elected because of the love and support of his people and workers.

Gaikhangam encouraged all the Chairmen and members of the ADCs to take a firm stand like him against such threats.

Responding to the complaints raised by some of the ADC members who said that it was very difficult to meet the Chief Minister, Gaikhangam observed that being the head of the Government, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh is busy most of the time with important issues of the State.

So, if it is very important, then ADC members could come to him and say whatever they like.

His door is always wide-open.

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