BJP seeks to erase misunderstanding on controversial death of Loitam Richard
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 03 2012: While seeking to remove all misunderstandings, if there are any, between the party and student organisations of the State, BJP Manipur unit has appealed to all the student organisations to fight for justice collectively with regard to the controversial death of Loitam Richard.

Referring to the joint declaration of the six student bodies to seal the office of BJP as a part of their agitation against the controversial death/killing of Richard, BJP State unit president-in-charge Salam Ibohal lamented that some sections are not aware of all the activities undertaken by BJP to ensure justice is done in Richard's case.

BJP State unit president Sh Shantikumar who left Imphal on May 21 for Karnataka in connection with the death of Richard is still putting up in the southern State.

He has met the Chief Minister and the Home Minister of Karnataka and apprised them about the wounded sentiments of Manipuri people as a result of Richard's controversial death.

Shantikumar has also been urging the Government of Karnataka to take up befitting action against all culprit(s) .

In response, the Karnataka Chief Minister reportedly assured Shantikumar that the causes of Richard's death would be studied in a forensic science laboratory located outside Karnataka.

The Government of Karnataka has already agreed to investigate the controversial case by its Corps of Detectives.

Claiming that BJP MPs have drawn attention of the Union Home Minister in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha towards the same case, Ibohal questioned if the State Government has taken up any steps towards bringing justice.

He went on to question as to why the report of the particular IAS officer who was sent to Karnataka has not been made public till date.

Appreciating the initiatives taken up by the student organisations, Salam Ibohal who grew up as a student activist noted that the student organisations as well as the civil organisations of the State are not satisfied with whatever actions taken up by the Government of Karnataka so far.

It would be sheer injustice to blame BJP and close its office for the failure of the Government of Karnataka and the Government of India.

To establish the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Richard, BJP would like to work in close coordination with all student organisations, Ibohal said.

Meanwhile BJP vice-president S Tiken has negated the charge of MPP advisor O Joy that BJP was working to strengthen its own position by disintegrating other friendly political parties.

Clarifying that BJP never worked to break up any regional party, S Tiken said that BJP did not receive any formal application from members of other political parties to join BJP.

"BJP still shares friendly relationship with both MPP and NCP", he added.

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