Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh escapes unhurt after gunfire at helipad, cancels programs
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had a narrow escape when suspected militants fired near a helipad on Monday morning while he was boarding his chopper in Ukhrul
The chief minister had flown to Ukhurl town, around 100 km from capital Imphal, around 9.30 am to inaugurate a hospital. But as soon as he got off his chopper, protests erupted.
For an hour, the chief minister, his deputy and other officials waited at the helipad. But with no breakthrough in the situation, they decided to fly out. As the Chief Minister was climbing onto his helicopter, shots were fired near the airfield.
A soldier was injured in the firing but the chief minister was rushed to the helicopter and evacuated.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has said, "We have evaluated the situation and will take necessary action." He was speaking after an emergency meeting of the government's top leaders after returning to Imphal along with the chief minister.
After the firing erupted, the Assam Rifles and the police fanned out to find the suspects. Sources said the NSCN IM may have been behind the attack.
The Nagas had called a bandh in Ukhrul on Monday to disrupt the chief minister's visit. Around midnight, some unidentified persons had hurled a crude grenade at a security post and injured a soldier.
According to sources, Nagas belonging to the Thankul Nagalong or TNL, which is the top body of Thankul Nagas, may have been responsible for the violence and the protests against Ibobi Singh.
With elections now just months away in Manipur and the agitation for a 'Greater Nagaland' gaining momentum, TNL activists were determined not to let the Chief Minister step into Ukhrul.
Tension has been growing in the Naga dominated areas of Manipur after a Naga conference in Manipur last week. The Nagaland chief minister attended the meet in Manipur's Senapati district and pressed the demand for Greater Nagaland which includes parts of Manipur.
Mr Singh has called an emergency meet over the situation in Ukhrul.