KCP(MC) claims responsibility for killing woman official

Imphal, Nov 15 (UNI) The Kangleipak Communist Party (MC) today claimed responsibility for killing Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) S Rasheswari of Kha Imphal Keisham Leikai yesterday at her office at Moirang in Bishenpur district of Manipur.

Police said the woman's body was sent for post-mortem at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

Ms Rasheswari's husband S Brajagopal, a politician, had been shot dead by suspected militants on May 24, 1981.

Meanwhile, the staff of the state Social Welfare department started a strike to protest the murder.

Officials said large number of CDPOs and field employees were working in 8,000 Anganwadi centres in the state and such an attack would hamper the women and child development work.

State Social Welfare Minister N Loken also condemned the killing.

Officials said Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh convened a meeting with high ranking police and civil officials yesterday to take stock of the situation.

Secretary of the military affairs of the KCP(MC) Lanheiba said the officer was killed as she had declared the results of some recruitments in the state Social Welfare department.

''The attack had to be carried out as she refused to withhold the results despite repeated requests,'' it was stated.

The militant group also threatened to take action against the state Social Welfare Minister and his officials.

Director General of Police Y Joykumar had stated that police had provided adequate security to the minister but it was impossible to provide security to all his relatives.

UNI