Imphal: Former Manipur MLA and ex-minister Bijoy Koijam has rejected allegations made by the banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) that he is an agent of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), describing the claims as “false and baseless.”
Addressing a press conference at his Konung Lampak residence on Monday, Koijam said the recent grenade attacks on his residence were the handiwork of vested interests linked to local political rivalries rather than the reasons cited by the militant outfit.
His statement came a day after PREPAK issued a seven-day ultimatum, accusing him of working for Indian intelligence agencies and warning that he would face trial in its self-styled “people’s court” if he failed to stop his alleged activities.
Koijam said two hand grenades were lobbed at his residence in Thongju Pheijaleitong on June 28, but no organisation claimed responsibility for the attack at the time. He said he initially refrained from filing a police complaint, recalling that he had survived a similar attack during his career as a journalist in which he sustained bullet injuries.
A second grenade attack took place at his residence on July 4, following which PREPAK claimed responsibility.
In a statement issued by its publicity officer, Mangal Khuman, the proscribed outfit alleged that Koijam was acting on behalf of the Indian government by coordinating with security forces to persuade families to convince their militant sons and daughters to return home, claiming the effort was aimed at dismantling the organisation.
PREPAK also claimed responsibility for the grenade attacks and reiterated its warning, giving Koijam seven days to halt his alleged activities or face action before its self-styled “people’s court.”
Authorities have not issued any official statement on the allegations made by the outfit or the incidents.