Ibobi summons GOC over detention of Minister

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi summoned Major General T S Handa, GOC, 57 Mountain Division over the detention and quizzing of a senior Minister by an Assam Rifles officer.

Major Nikhil Thakkar, commander of 7 Battalion, Assam Rifles out-post at Sagang village in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, stopped a convoy of Health Minister Pheiroijam Parijat and quizzed the Minister on where he came from and for what purpose he was there, etc.

The Minister was on a tour to inspect the functioning of PHC and PHSCs under Kumbi constituency with the local MLA N Mangi.

A brief verbal confrontation ensued between the Minister and the post commander in front of their Sagang post, around 60 km south of here, after the Minister was asked to come down from the flag car evoking widespread reaction from ruling and opposition MLAs of the State.

“It’s an unfortunate incident, we’ll take up necessary action” said Chief Minister Ibobi while interacting with a group of reporters here at State Assembly complex on Thursday.

When asked, Ibobi said that GOC Major General Handa had telephoned him on Wednesday and apologized on behalf of the officer for the incident.

Ibobi, however, felt “it would be more appropriate to discuss the matter during the next round of unified command meeting” adding, “if necessary, we’ll sit for an emergency Cabinet meet”.

Later, a joint meeting was held at the CM’s Secretariat in the presence of Ministers, GOC 57 Mountain Division Major General T S Handa as well as the Inspector General Assam Rifles(south) Major General Chengappa.

The meeting resolved that “investigation will be started against the concerned officer and action will be taken very soon”

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