IMPHAL, March 8 � Lawyers and residents of Uripok in Imphal West district have demanded legal action against Manipur Minister responsible for injuring Advocate General (AG) Nongmeikappam Koteshwar.
Koteshwar was hit by a bullet during an �accidental firing� by a Minister near Napetpalli under Lamlai police station, on Saturday while he was returning with Works Minister K Ranjit and Tribal Development Minister DD Thasii after attending a festival at Hungpung in Ukhrul district.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has officially confirmed on Sunday that it happened accidentally when a Minister was taking out his revolver. But he ruled out an inquiry into the incident saying the Minister concerned had apologised for the mistake.
The CM�s remark has evoked sharp reactions from the All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) lawyers.
Demanding legal action against the culprits involved in the firing, AMBA lawyers abstained from court duty affecting normal functioning of the judiciary including the Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench on Monday.
�There will be no rule of law if no action is taken up�, General Secretary of AMBA, Y Priyokumar said.
�A sitting judge of a High Court or the CBI should probe the incident�.
Police also should suo moto register a case, he added.
The womenfolk of Advocate General�s localities staged a sit-in demonstration demanding disclosure of the Minister�s identity.
Meanwhile, sources in the hospital said that AG Koteshwar�s health is improving after the doctors removed the projectile from his body on Sunday.
