IMPHAL, Dec 14 ? The Muslim underground outfit, People?s United Liberation Front (PULF) has claimed responsibility for killing of an auditor of the Auditor General office, Imphal branch for his refusal to fulfil the demand of paying up Rs 5 lakh.
A spokesman of the outfit Bashir Lasker told the local media that Md Ningthem was gunned down near his residence at Kyamgei Oinam Loukon on Sunday night. The self-styled commander of the outfit, Bashir Lasker, further said that despite demand letters and attacks on his residence on two occasions a month back, the government employee had failed to heed it. This outfit has intensified its activities in the Muslim populated areas of the State in the past few months.
Several organizations including Muslim Development Organization and Indigenous People?s Society, All Manipur Muslim Students? Organization, Progressive Library Youth Development Organization, Ethno Heritage Council and Model Club have condemned the killing.
On the other hand, the PULF has banned the consumption of liquor among Muslims in Manipur asking owners of breweries to stop production of liquor stating that such activities violate the Islamic laws. The PULF militants recently shot one Mohammed Sanayai in his legs at Changamdabi village near Imphal for consuming liquor. The outfit has further warned of more such attacks if the people ignored its diktat.
Rebel groups have over the years indulged in such vigilante activities to win public sentiment, say senior police officials. The PULF outfit came into existence in 1993. There are four Muslim outfits in Manipur.
Meanwhile, several organizations have urged the people of the NE States for boycotting the outfit for its activities in terrorism, ruthless extortion campaigns and involvement in shooting at a teenaged Muslim girl Ruhina Begum at Lilong near Imphal recently. But the PULF has clarified that the party had neither made any monetary demand to the family members? of victim, nor any amount was taken. The shooting had occurred accidentally.