GUWAHATI: Two influential Naga organisations of Manipur have dubbed as “staged-managed”, Monday’s firing incident at Ukhrul helipad in the State allegedly targeting Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, even as the Congress government is convinced that the attack was carried out by the Isak-Muivah faction of major Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).
A Manipur Rifles jawan was injured in the firing which took place moments after Ibobi’s chopper had taken off from the helipad. He had gone to Ukhrul to inaugurate a hospital and two power sub-stations but flew back to Imphal in the face of violent protests by the Nagas.
The United Naga Council (UNC) and Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) alleged that the incident was stage-managed by Ibobi. “It won’t be possible for any element to target someone or plant bombs at a place teeming with security personnel in view of the chief minister’s visit,” said the TNL.
The outfit had enforced a bandh in Ukhrul on Monday in protest against Ibobi’s visit and called people to boycott him.
Meanwhile, claiming that it was the NSCN-IM which opened fire, the Manipur government has urged the Centre to take action against the insurgent group, which has been in peace mode since 1997 following a ceasefire agreement with the Centre.