Amid attack on Congmen...Two shot, hurt at Cong bastion
Source: The Sangai Express

Unidentified persons abducted, shot and injured two persons in a Khundrakpam kendra locality even as the State Government heightened security measures in the wake of recent spate of violence against political workers of the Congress party organisation.

While the State police department has been issued strong instructions to investigate cases of Congress loyalists being the target of unidentified gunmen recently, party MLAs and workers have also been advised to take all possible precautionary measures.

Regarding the Khundrakpam shooting, a police report said the two were abducted last evening by the assailants from their respective residences in Khundrakpam Makha Leikai, which is under Heingang police station of Imphal East district.

The two were reportedly taken away to the direction of Sambei Mamang ching (hillock, about 4 kms) and shot at about 11.05 am from where they were brought to RIMS Hospital.

The injured duo have been identified as president of Khundrakpam Kendra Development Committee Khangembam Muhendro (75) and SK Oil agent Laiphrakpam Ibomcha alias Ibungomcha (56). Muhendro sustained a bullet wound on the left thigh while Ibomcha was shot on the right thigh.

Muhendro is said to be Ibomcha's brother-in-law.

Recounting the incident to newspersons at the hospital, Muhendro said on Ibomcha informing about the Khundrakpam MLA wanting to meet them both walked out of home some minutes past 7 in the night only to be affronted by two unfamiliar youths and pinned down at gun points before being taken towards the nearby hillock.

After reaching the said spot through the paddy field the gunmen, who then identified themselves as cadres of KCP-MC posed questions including why they joined the Congress party and whether muhendro is the Congress president.

Even though Muhendro clearly identified himself and his position of being the local Committee's president, the captors held them captive the entire night and started violent act by first pumping a bullet to Ibomcha's thigh and then Muhendro.

The latter also recollected the assailants directing the captives to dissociate themselves from the indian National Congress and publish their stances/clarifications through the media.

MLA Th Lokeshore, who enquired conditions of the injured duo at the hospital described the shooting at acts of cowardice.

Clarifying that Muhendro and Ibomcha are not Congress party workers but social minded individuals indulged in activities to promote socio-economic welfare of the kendra people, the Khundrakpam legislator called upon armed groups to enable dedicated individuals work for the society without any inhibition or imposed apprehension.

The MLA was soon after followed by the Chief Minister and other Congress MLAs to the Hospital wherein Muhendro is recovering at the Paying Ward and ibomcha in the general ward.

The CM declined to comment on the incident when newspersons approached him.

A series of similar incidents had preceded the Khundrakpam shooting with one Waikhom Maipak (60) of Oinam Mamang Leikai shot by self-proclaimed KCP-MC activists on the intervening night of March 11-12 at his own house.

Maipak is the president of Bishnupur District Congress Committee anf he is still at RIMS hospital recuperating from the bullet wound.

On March 12 night unidentified gunmen fired shots at the Heirangoithong residence of L Tilotama Devi, who is presently president of Manipur Youth Congress Committee.

These incidents followed bombs attacks at Congress offices located in Thoubal, Bishnupur and Imphal East districts which the same armed group had claimed involvement of its cadres.