Imphal, July 23 2009: Chief Minister O Ibobi has today said that whether the militants or the government have ruled the state should be made clear.

He was speaking during a discussion on the encounter at a crowded Imphal market, fifteen minutes before the start of the Assembly session, this morning which claimed two lives and injured others.

Chief Minister O Ibobi informed the House that the Imphal West district police commandos have come across a man in suspicious manner while conducting frisking at Samu Makhong this morning.

The man opened gunfire towards the police when he was signaled to halt and ran towards the BT Road.

The gunman had resorted to opening gunfire randomly in the crowded market and took refugee inside a pharmacy located near Gambhir Singh Shopping complex.

When the police asked him to surrender, he continued to open fire.

He was killed in a retaliatory fire by the police commandos inside the pharmacy.

He said one 9mm pistol along with three live rounds and a magazine were recovered from the possession of the slain man.

The Chief Minister also said that a driving license issued by the transport department in the name of Chungkham Sanjit Meitei, son of Ch Khelsan of Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai was also recovered from the body.

He also said that the license has been confirmed to be valid.

Further, the CM said that a woman succumbed to injury after being hit by the bullet of the gunman while other persons have also suffered injuries.

He informed the house that the City Police station has registered a case in this regard and begun to probe.

The Chief Minister has also said that the Union Home Minister had once derisively said that all underground groups of the state are gang groups, without any objective and without foundation.

The Union Home Minister was also said to have asked the Chief Minister to demand any requirement in its fight against the militants � who according to the Union Home Minister were set up to collect money.

The Union Minister was also reported to have said that the undergrounds will only be softened after putting them to their disadvantages.

The Chief Minister said triggering blasts and opening gunfire are related to monetary demand.

He said the government was restraining itself thinking that killings will not bring any solution.

But, the trend has become intolerable.

Indicating his desire to lay heavy hands on the militants, Chief Minister Ibobi said that peace returned to Mizoram after the Central government gave a severe blow by killing around twenty thousand people.

He said he doesn't mean to adopt the same policy here though.

Ibobi said, it has been known who had instigated the relay hunger strike to save Sharmila.

He also said that the Disturbed Area Act has been scrapped from the seven Assembly segments in the interest of the public.

But now the seven Assembly segments seem to be the safe haven for militants.

MLA Radhabinod Koijam said that the violence culture of the state deserves to be condemned while adding that Dr Kishan, Krishnadas, Islamuddin, et al were brutally killed.

He said the land is filled with daily blasts, shootings, hurling bombs at hospitals, killings of non-locals, extorting in the name of UGs by officers and contractors.

He said these things need to be curbed by joining hands together.

MLA Dr Ng Bijoy moved that the House unanimously condemn the incident while also lauding the Imphal West district police commando in dealing the situation.

Dr I Ibohalbi said that it was heartrending to see a three year old infant near the dead body of his mother in today's incident.

He feels that the limit has been crossed while pointing out that he has been warned for commenting on ISTV over the killing of a driver of an EE in the LDA department recently.

He also urged for a united stand of the people.

Dr Kh Ratankumar urged that all concerned should not remain as mere spectators while urging for standing in unity.

N Mangi said that the Khalistan movement was defeated when the people rose against the militants while also calling for the cooperation of the people in the state too.

Power Minister T Phungzathang said that no section can bring independence of the state while also saying that peace has returned in Mizoram and peace talks have been held in Nagaland.

Works Minister K Ranjit said that the woes of the people will be multiplied if not groups for monetary purpose are smoked out.

He also urged the people to cooperate in smoking them out.

T Mangibabu said that revolutionary characters of the militants have diminished.

Minister Ph Parijat, Minister Alauddin Khan, MLA O Joy and Shyamkumar have also participated in the discussion.

The House later unanimously decided to condemn the incident.

The members of the House have also observed one minute silence as a mark of condolence to the woman who lost her live in the incident.

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