IMPHAL, July 10 - Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh today strongly condemned the attack on a team of 31 Assam Rifles, in which a rifleman was killed at Skipe village in Kamjong district.
Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony held in honour of the deceased rifleman at the Imphal International Airport this afternoon.
Stating that the Government does not endorse use of violence for any cause, the Chief Minister said that the Government has been urging all armed groups to come to the negotiating table for political solutions to their grievances. However, some groups are still continuing with violence by inflicting casualties on State forces, he rued.
Singh said that the search operation would continue to nab the culprits behind the attack. Earlier, the Chief Minister led others in laying wreaths and paying last respects to the deceased Assam Rifles personnel, Ningthoujam Subhash Chandra Singh, son of Tharongou Singh of Khangabok Awang Leikai under Thoubal district.
Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar, Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, DGP LM Khaute and other high-ranking civil, military and police officers were among those who attended the ceremony.
Later, the Chief Minister also met the late rifleman�s family and expressed his deep condolences. He also assured them of all possible assistance from the Government�s side. The proscribed Revolutionary People�s Front has claimed responsibility for Monday�s attack on the Assam Rifles team in a press release issued by the outfit�s publicity secretary, Roben Khuman.
