Special Crime Branch tasked against Manipur Independence declaration

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, October 31, 2019: Manipur government has commissioned Special Crime Branch to take necessary action against former chairman of SALAI Holdings Private Limited, Narengbam Samarjit and one Yambem Biren for declaring independence of Manipur from India and the formation of a Manipur state council, ‘Manipur Government in exile’.

Samarjit and Biren claimed as external affairs minister and chief minister of the Manipur state council.

They made the announcement on behalf of Manipur titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba in a press conference held in London on Tuesday.

They produced documents to show they have been granted political asylum in the U.K. in August 2019. After getting their asylum status in the U.K., the de jure government is shifted from Manipur to London, said Samarjit.

Manipur government has lodged an FIR against the duo for waging war against the state.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh told reporters here on Wednesday that the news which went viral on social media is a very shocking turn of events, and the state government is very much concerned with the statement made by Samarjit and Y Biren.

Various sections of the IPC have been included in the FIR for waging war against the state, he added.

Biren said the duo has committed their act while staying in a foreign land and the state government has tasked the Special Crime Branch to conduct necessary investigations into all processes and works involving Samarjit within a week and necessary legal actions will be contemplated.

He said the state home department has proposed to hand over the findings of the Special Crime Branch to the NIA.

Necessary approval of the state Cabinet will also be taken if required, he added.

Law minister L Jayantakumar and chief secretary, DGP, AGP and other officials were also present during the press meet.

SALAI Holdings has on Wednesday declared that the company has no relation whatsoever with the statements made by its former founder director and chairman Samarjit regarding separation of Manipur from India.

The company also clarified that its policies and programmes have no relation with Samarjit’s statements as well.

Vice-chairman of SALAI Holdings, Elangbam Brojendro said the board of directors have decided to remove Samarjit from the list of directors and to restructure its administration immediately.

Samarjit has also been removed from his post as the president of North East India Development Party (NEIDP) Central Working Committee and in his stead, the party’s vice president and former MLA Sapam Kunjakeshore alias Keba has been appointed as the interim president.

People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) has encouraged Samarjit and Biren for declaring independence of Manipur from India and the formation of a Manipur state council.

In a press statement released by the proscribed insurgent group it stated that it welcomes the declaration of independence from the ‘colonial rule’.

It said several struggle for Manipur independence have been taken up since the day India colonised Manipur in 1949.

It supports the step taken up by Samarjit and Biren as it is a part of struggle for independence, the statement said.