|
Manipur : Assembly condemns attack on Iskcon temple |
 |
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Sept. 15 told the Assembly that investigation into the attack on the Iskcon temple was “progressing positively”. The House condemned the incident as an “inhuman and barbaric act”.
Ibobi Singh, however, refused to divulge anything else even though the Opposition members pressed for details of the inquiry on the opening day of the Monsoon session. “Revealing everything about the investigation at this stage would not be in the interest of the probe. All out efforts are on. We are optimistic that the culprits will be tracked down and brought to book, though it may take some more time,” said the Chief Minister.
Six persons were killed and more than 50 others injured when unidentified persons lobbed a hand grenade at the Iskcon temple during a Ras Lila performance on August 16.
Still smarting from the temple attack, the state government has ordered unprecedented security arrangements around the Assembly complex. No one, including ministers, MLAs, officials and mediapersons, was allowed to carry mobile phones inside the Assembly complex.
An official source said there were intelligence reports that miscreants could use mobile handsets to trigger explosive devices. All visitors were thoroughly frisked before entering the House by security personnel.
“The temple terror has forced us to be on alert. Anything can happen in Manipur. We are not taking chances,” a police officer said.
B.D. Behring of the BJP and L. Ibomcha Singh of the Federal Party of Manipur later alleged that security lapses had led to the blast at the temple and criticised the police for failing to identify the attackers.
Ibobi Singh rejected the charges, but gave in to the suggestion that the House should pass a resolution condemning the attack. He said the police had picked up human rights activists L. Umakanta and Y. Langamba, alias Thabi, in connection with the blast, but so far no evidence of their involvement in the attack has been found.
The Chief Minister’s clarification came in the wake of violent agitation by civil society organisations in the past few weeks demanding unconditional release of the two.
Umakanta and Thabi are now lodged in jail. They refused bail demanding unconditional release.
|
