Pol parties meet Jagat, urge Judicial probe
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 04 2009: State unit representatives of the NCP, CPM and MSCP called on the Governor Gurbachan Jagat to hand over a joint memorandum urging the institution of a Judicial probe into the July 23 incident at BR Road during which two persons, including a young pregnant woman, died and five others suffered injuries.

Speaking to newspersons at his Thangmeiband residence this evening, on behalf of the political parties, NCP's State unit president Radhabinod Koijam confirmed of the joint delegation calling on the Governor to air dissatisfaction against the State Government's decision to institute a Magisterial inquiry on the incident.

A cartoon by Satya Hijam of TSE

The joint team urged the Governor to institute a high level investigation with the appointment of either a senior Judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court.

The former Chief Minister also disclosed of the political delegation conveying to the Governor that ordering Magisterial inquiry into the controversial conduct of the police commandos in the July 23 incident would only be a farce and an eye-wash.

moreover, the joint team is informed to have raised the demand for dismissal of the O Ibobi-led SPF Government and to hand over the case (BT Road firing) to an independent investigation agency such as the CBI before evidences on the incident are diluted.

The State NCP chief also demanded that commando personnel involved in the incident be placed under suspension and those found guilty prosecuted as per law.

He also clarified that owing to lack of evidence, contention of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in the State Assembly could not be contested by the Opposition members as the real picture on the particular incident came to light only after images were released by the Tehelka news-weekly.

Speaking on the occasion, CPM State Secretary Sarat salam opined that there is no crime more outrageous than the CM misleading members of the State Assembly.

This also amounts to abusing Constitutional power to conceal truth from the people.

questioning the morale of the CM and commitment in upholding sanctity of democratic principles, the CPM leader insisted that O Ibobi should step down without further delay.

Peeved with the arrogance of the Government in concealing the fact the three political parties called on the Governor to express anguish, Sarat maintained and expressed that Gurbachan Jagat assured to do the needful on the matter.

Pointing out that political parties do understand seriousness of problem of insurgency in the State, he nevertheless asserted that political parties or organisations will not tolerate and remain silent when protectors turn predators.

Sarat also called upon civil society organisations and political parties to launch and sustain movements against police brutalities along with the masses.