An opposition member of the Trinamool Congress, Th Shyamkumar Wednesday in the Manipur Assembly alleged that NSCN (I-M) cadres abducted Irungbam Irabanta (38) on May 27.

Irabanta had been supplying sand and stone for construction of Maphou Dam undertaken by Ansal Pvt Ltd.
Bringing up the issue as calling attention motion in the House of the Assembly, Th Shyamkumar alleged that Irabanta was abducted by cadres of NSCN (I-M) in connection with monetary demand.

He further informed the House that based on information extracted from various sources, he alleged that the contractor was “murdered” by the cadres and buried at an unknown place.

“This is not the first case in which cadres of NSCN (I-M) cadres had committed such criminal activities in past,” Shyamkumar alleged, recalling the killing of the then SDO Kasom Khullen sub-division of Ukhrul district along with his two subordinate staff.

He demanded the state government to highlight the issue with the Centre to take up appropriate action against the outfit, adding, the cadres were taking advantage of the cease-fire agreement with the government of India by carrying out illegal and criminal activities in the state (Manipur).

Answering to the calling attention motion as home minister was out of station, chief minister O. Ibobi Singh informed the House that the case was under investigation by a special team of police.

He however said family members of the victim reported that mater to the police only after over two weeks. The complaint was lodged on June 8 at Lamlai police station.

Irabanta’s wife Modhubala had disclosed to the local media only on July 9 that her husband was abducted by NSCN (I-M) cadres.

Narrating the incident, Modhubala said after her husband left home on May 27, driving a white Gypsy (MN-01/2177) with Rs. 16,000 to Ukhrul to discuss about contract works.

She further said MK Winner (33) who stayed for a short period in neighbouring New Salem village reportedly told Irabanta that he had contacts in the NSCN (I-M) and could negotiate.

Modhubala said she came to know only after her husband sent an SMS saying he was negotiating with one “Leishi and Francis of NSCN (I-M)”.“Winner was staying at Ukhrul town but when we went there to enquire about Irabanta, he and all his family members had already gone into hiding”, Modhubala said.