Imphal, July 27 2009: After a serious deliberation over a hate-filled letter handed to MLA O Joy before the start of the Assembly session today, the House has referred the matter to the Privilege Committee.

Taking up the matter in the forenoon session of the Assembly, O Joy read out the content of the hate-filled let ter handed over to him by a security personnel, who reportedly claimed, that the same had been given by Minister Phungzathang Tonsing.

Wrapped in an envelope, the letter written on a note paper of Manipur Legislative Assembly, was signed joint by three persons identified as Helun 'Haokip' Smith K Quite and John Panmei.

The letter dubbed O Joy as anti-tribal who always attacked Tribal Ministers in the Assembly regardless of whether there are prima facie evidences or not.

After reading out the letter, Joy said the letter smacks of political conspiracy and it was very unfortunate it appeared to have been written under the influences of some of his Assembly colleagues.

Reacting to this, Power Minister Phungzathang said he is not insane to write such letters and asserted that he would reveal the identity of the persons who have wrote the letter in a private meeting with the MLA.

According to information received by the press, the let ter in question was handed over to the security personnel by one Akhojam, who not only the former PSO of Phungzathang but also stays at the quarters of the Minister most of the time.

The issue surrounding the "mystery' letter came up for discussion once again after the business discussion of the Assembly with Speaker Dr Sapam Budhichandra reading out the inquiry report of the Chief Security Officer of the Assembly who has investigated into the mater.

The report mentioned that one retired SI identified llaokhojang handed over the letter to one SI Tomba of Crime Branch with the request of forwarding to MLA O Joy.

After the hearing the report read out by the Speaker, O Joy observed that the letter had been written with the ulterior motive of creating communal hatred.

All the members have the right and freedom to speak and raise questions in the Assembly during its session.

But this letter intends to curtail this freedom, and thus it amounts to breach of privilege of the House members and should be condemned by all, Joy said, while urging the Speaker to consider the matter serious and referred to the Privilege Committee by evoking relevant rules.

Subsequently, the Speaker passed an order to refer the matter to the Privilege Committee.

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