Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 10 (EMN): The chief minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh on Tuesday led the wreath laying ceremony here to pay respect to the departed Assam Rifles personnel who was killed in an attack on 31 Assam Rifles at Skipe village in Kamjong district.
Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar, Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, DGP Manipur LM Khaute and other high ranking civil, military and police officers were among those who attended the ceremony at Imphal International Airport this afternoon.
The deceased rifleman has been identified as Ningthoujam Subhash Chandra Singh, son of Tharongou Singh of Khangabok Awang Leikai under Thoubal District.
Chief Minister Biren also met Subhash Chandra’s family and expressed his deep condolences. He also assured them of all permissible assistance to the family from the government’s side.
Later speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony held in honour of the deceased Rifleman, Biren strongly condemned the attack on a team of 31 Assam Rifles.
Stating that the government never endorses using of violence in resolving any issue, Biren said that the government has been urging all the armed groups to come to the negotiating table for seeking political solution.
However, some groups are still continuing violence inflicting casualties to state forces, he felt. He further said that the search operation would continue till the culprits are nabbed.
It may be recalled that Manipur based proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front had claimed Monday’s attack on 31 Assam Rifles, according to a press release by the outfit’s publicity secretary Roben Khuman.
It said the outfit was saddened by the outcome of the attack as the deceased Assam Rifle personnel turned out to be a native of Manipur.