Al-Qaeda 'recruitment' report perturbs Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 21 2014:
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has stated that the Government is investigating into the authenticity of the news report regarding mass recruitment of AL-QAEDA cadres from the State, particularly Muslim youths, which was published in a Guwahati based daily.
The Deputy Chief Minister made this statement in response to a call attention motion raised by MLA L Ibomcha.
Ibomcha quoting the particular news report stated that many Muslim youth have been recruited into AL-QAEDA.
Gaikhangam stated that the State Government was deeply concerned with the news report.
Publication of the list of 17 newly recruited Manipuri Muslim AL-QAEDA cadres by the Guwahati based daily paper is rather serious and alarming in case the report was authentic enough, added the Home Minister.
The Minister further informed that the Government is investigating into the authenticity of the news report.
He said, an investigation team has already checked at the houses of the 17 listed people and the team found 5/6 of them at their houses.
But the others could not be located as their addresses were not given in the news report.
The State has also sent an inquiry to the newspaper Editor and reporters who published the news in order to verify the authenticity of the news report.
L Ibomcha informed that out of the 17 enlisted Muslim youth, he came across one who has clarified against the charge.
He further appealed to the Intelligence and Home Department to further investigate and establish the authenticity of the news.
The issue could prove a serious threat to the State security, he added.