Manipur to withdraw security from VIPs

Imphal, Oct 30 (UNI) The Manipur government is considering the withdrawal of security from VIPs if they are found giving shelter to militants in their houses.

Of late, some dreaded outlaws were found hiding at the residences of MLAs at the high security Babupara area of Imphal. On October 27, a militant was found at the residence of CPI MLA, Dr Heikham Borajao at Babupara. The MLA, however, denied the allegations.

Government officials today said the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had discussed the law and order situation here late yesterday and decided to withdraw security from VIPs if they were found harbouring militants.

The cabinet had also reviewed the prevailing law and order situation.

A senior police officer today said the operations against militants were continuing in which five outlaws were nabbed during the last 48 hours.

Meanwhile, three engineers of the Public Health Engineering Department, who were kidnapped by the Kuki Revolutionary Army, were released last night.

Police said shortly after midnight, the three officials were released at Sadar Hills, Senapati district, by the cadres of the KRA. They have now reached their homes safely.

The PHED officials, L Ibomcha, O Meino, and N Opendro, were abducted on October 12 while on a site inspection to Moirangpurel, Imphal East.

The KRA, a banned outfit, had earlier stated that the engineers were abducted for an investigation and would be released once the investigations were over.

Th Misao of KRA, Information and Publicity Department, had also clarified that the engineers were not nabbed for money but for an enquiry.

The KRA is on a truce with the army. They claimed that the three officials had to be detained for enquiry into the developmental activities in the hill areas.

The employees of the PHED had threatened to launch a stir and were staging a sit in protest in front of the PHED office demanding release of the three engineers.

UNI