manipur - MCP calls for 12 hr general strike in Manipur

MCP calls for 12 hr general strike in Manipur
The Maoist Communist Party (MCP) is calling a 12 hour general strike in Manipur on Wednesday ahead of the polling in the general Inner Manipur Parliamentary seat. Its demolition squads have planted 15 bombs at strategic places to make the strike a success. This was stated in a press statement issued by Nonglen Meitei, secretary publicity and propaganda of the MCP on Tuesday. Making a frontal attack against the Congress and its MP for the last two terms, Meinya Thokchom, the MCP statement said that the MP Areas Development fund for the last two terms has not reached the people.
Under the Congress Ministry led by Okram Ibobi a number of persons had lost their close family members. The days of the Congress rule in India and Manipur are coming to an end, it said. Earlier the MCP had warned the people not to venture out during the general strike as they may get injured. The strike however does not cover press, essential services and those who are participating in socio-religious functions. However, the threat that the bombs will be detonated here and there comes as a damper and most sections of the people including presspersons may not stick out their necks. The MCP had blasted several bombs in the past few days.
They had targeted Meinya Thokchom, MP, Mirabai Akoijam, Social Welfare Minister. Police and security forces are not taking the bomb threat lightly. On April 9, the Deputy Speaker Presho Shimray had a narrow escape when militants carried out an ambush while he was returning to Imphal after casting his vote in Ukhrul district. Though the accusing fingers had been pointed to one armed group there has been no claim.
In view of the threats, Mr. Thokchom moves out and attends some campaign meetings only when there are adequate security coverage for him. He could not participate in the interaction programmes organised by the Editors’ Guild – Manipur and a news channel, probably on security grounds. Meanwhile, police have beefed up security measures throughout the three valley districts which go to polls on Thursday. Though some armed persons are reported to have been rounded up, the big fishes are still at large and this is causing sleepless nights to the law enforcing agencies. Efforts are on to locate some of the bombs using sniffer dogs and metal detectors. However so far there is no success.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mcp-calls-for-12-hr-general-strike-in-manipur/article5915313.ece
Plan to ambush Manipur MP foiled
A meticulous plan to carry out an ambush on Meinya Thokchom, the sitting Congress MP of Manipur, was foiled by police with the timely detection of a very powerful foreign made bomb which was planted a little distance away from his house at Khumbung in Imphal West district. Police detected the bomb buried at the roadside at 11:30 am on Tuesday. Police bomb disposal squad neutralised it. Though the accusing finger is pointed at the Maoist Communist Party, so far there is no claim.
Police have also not arrested any of the MCP insurgents in this connection. Apart from blasting several bombs in the past few days it announced that it had planted 15 bombs at 15 different places as a part of the 12 hour general strike it is calling on Wednesday. Police sources said that perhaps the rebels were planning to ambush the MP and his entourage when they return home after campaigning which ends at 4 pm on Tuesday. In case of ambush there would be casualties since it was within the Khumbong village. Police dragnet has been spread wide to comb the areas. Besides the paramilitary, personnel guarding the MP have been put on red alert. However, in view of the shortage of security forces since polls will be held on Thursday, the government cannot increase his security guards as yet.