- Party seeks resignation of both ministers too


Imphal, March 22: The Opposition Manipur Peoples Party (MPP) today submitted another memorandum to Governor Gurbachan Jagat demanding action against two ministers involved in the advocate-general N. Koteshore firing besides asking chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh to step down from his post.

The party, which had earlier submitted a memorandum to the governor over the same demand on Saturday, reiterated its stand stating that the three should step down from their posts on “moral grounds”.

In the memorandum, the MPP urged the governor to take action against state works minister K. Ranjit Singh for shooting at advocate-general N. Koteshore and chief minister Ibobi Singh for “protecting” a perpetrator of a crime.

The party also demanded action against tribal development minister D.D. Thaisii, who was accompanying the advocate-general along with Ranjit Singh in a vehicle when the incident took place.

A five-member delegation of the party led by president Nimaichand Luwang had met the governor at Raj Bhavan here to submit the memorandum.

The works minister had shot at the advocate-general with a licenced gun issued to tribal development minister Thaisii while they were returning to the city in a car after attending a function in Ukhrul on March 6. The chief minister had said the firing was “accidental”.

Lamlai police station in Imphal East had registered a first information report and seized the pistol. However, no one has been arrested so far.

“The governor gave a patient hearing and promised us that he would do whatever he could. We have faith in the governor and are looking forward to positive steps,” Luwang told reporters at Raj Bhavan.

The MPP is now hoping that the governor will apprise the Centre of the incident.

Luwang said this was for the first time that a minister had shot a senior government official in Manipur.

“Ranjit and Thaisii should be sacked. Ibobi Singh should also be sacked for protecting a perpetrator of a crime,” Luwang demanded.

The MPP also demanded that the governor should give the sanction for prosecution of the three. It also demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI or an inquiry conducted by a sitting judge of the high court.

The party charged that the chief minister had concealed the factual position of the incident.

“Concealing facts of a crime is also a crime and Ibobi Singh committed this crime. They should step down on moral grounds. If they fail to do so, then they should be sacked,” Luwang demanded.