BJP assures CBI inquiry into fake encounters in Manipur

Imphal, March 6 (IANS) Assam Finance Minister Hemanta Bishwa Sarma on Monday said that if the BJP forms the next government in Manipur, a CBI inquiry will be ordered into staged shootouts in the state.

Sarma made the remark while addressing a press conference at the Bharatiya Janata Party office here.

Along with other BJP members, he has been touring Manipur before campaigning for the second and final phase of state assembly polls ends at 3 p.m. later on Monday.

People have demanded booking of those responsible for the killings in staged gun battles by security forces.

Sarma said: "A police man close to the establishment is a suspect in a fake encounter (staged shootout)."

He added that the court has dismissed the interim anticipatory bail to the police officer now facing a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry.

Referring to the high turnout of voters in the first phase, held on March 4, Sarma said people voted against the "corrupt Congress government".

Over 84 per cent polling was recorded in the first phase of elections to the Manipur Assembly, according to election officials.

In all, there were 168 candidates in the fray for Saturday’s polls, out of which seven were women. Polling took place at 1,643 polling stations in 38 constituencies.

The second and final phase of polling for 22 constituencies will be held on March 8.