Imphal, January 27: Claiming responsibility for killing Yumkhaibam Gopen Singh, s/o Y Girani Singh of Mayang Langjing on January 23, People�s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) has categorically stated that it was a direct fallout of the existing confrontation between Lamshang Kendra MLA Brajabidhu and the proscribed outfit.

In a statement, department of publicity and propaganda of the outfit said Brajabidhu has not been listening to request for donating some amount from his Local Area Development Fund to PREPAK.

To resolve the matter, four cadres of the outfit had gone to the residence of Brajabidhu on January 8, 2007 for talk and the talk was held on that day with his younger brother Gopal.

Though no solution could be arrived at, the talk ended in a cordial manner and the four cadres came without any apprehension.

But soon after, the local people were alerted and they started chasing them.

Although three cadres managed to escape, one of the cadre was rounded up and beaten up blue and black, the statement said.

When the matter was reported to the authorities of the outfit, MLA Brajabidhu himself had been contacted and he gave his word for releasing the arrested cadre.

But instead of releasing the cadre, some of the local people were made to hand over the injured cadre to the security post of RIMS thereby leading to his arrest by the police and seizure of his M-20 pistol, the statement said.

After this incident, the statement informed, messages have been send to the MLA directly as well as indirectly for resolving the matter, but no positive response had ever come from his side.

Subsequently, the outfit imposed restriction on some of his important workers against campaigning for him.

They include the slain Y Gopen, Nongthombam Pramo Devi (Salam), Sorokhaibam Maniton Singh (Salam), Oinam Haridash Singh (Mayang langjing), Asem Tomba Singh (Lamdeng), Chaoba (Lamdeng Mayai Leikai) and Thoudam Loken of Taothong Lamkhai, PREPAK listed.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the MLA went to the press challenging diktat and his workers went on campaigning for him.

PREPAK had tried to meet his workers including late Gopen, but they did not give any opportunities.

They also did not come when the party summoned them in connection with the problem of the Kerosene oil agents.

It was only after all these that Gopen and another person were picked up from their respective houses.

As the other person was to get married the following day he was left behind and only Gopen was brought alone.

But at that time as in the earlier instance local people have been alerted and they chasing.

To avoid the repeat of the earlier incident and to control the situation, the unfortunate incident occurred, the statement explained.

PREPAK further clarified that incident should not be construed as a challenge to any NGO, political party or communities nor it had any prior knowledge that Gopen was a member of UPF.

The outfit has also asked all those persons who were involved in the January 8 incident of beating up one of its cadres to surrender at the earliest possible.

They are identified as Konjengbam Achou Singh s/o K Kulachandra (Lamdeng Mayai Leikai), Chirom Rajen Singh s/o Ch Mangol, Laishram Sudhir Singh s/o L Jugindro Singh (secretary youth library), Ngasekpam Ito Singh (councillor) s/o Ng Babu Singh, Chingangbam Chinglen Singh (president youth library) s/o Ch Hemo Singh, Asem Tomba Singh, Warekpam Ratan (secretary VRO), Khaidem Raja Singh s/o Kh Nodia Singh, Kh Lakshman Singh s/o (L) Kh Ningthoukaba Singh, Khundrakpam Binashakhi (secretary Women Welfare Lamdeng), Leishangthem Ashokumar Singh (secretary Pioneer Club) s/o (L) L Babudhon, Chingangbam Chaobi s/o Ch Ibobi, Chingangbam Homen Singh s/o Ch Modhumangol Singh, Thounaojam Priyokumar Singh s/o Th Kamdebo, Chingangbam Chaoba s/o Ch Bijoy, Thounaojam Megha s/o Th Gouramani, Chingangbam Arun, Chingangbam Brojen, Chirom No bin, Chirom Syamchand, Wangkheimayum Inao, Wangkheimayum Dhananjoy, Wangkheimayum Munan, Thounaojam Kunjamani Devi, Chingangbam Geetachandra, Chirom Dhananjoy, Chaoroibam Shubachandra, Kh Nabakumar s/o (L) Kh Chandramani , Kh Jiten (VP Pioneer Club) s/o Kh Jugindro, Oinam Rameshor s/o (L) O Gouramani and Thoudam Netrajit s/o (L) Th Kanhai Singh.

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