Imphal: Militant outfit, Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL), today (Apr 1, 2004) claimed responsibility of the recent bid on Manipur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president N Tombi Singh's life, which he survived, and asked BJP to stop all its activists in the State with immediate effect.

In a statement in Imphal, KYKL publicity secretary L Mangang said the decision to eliminate Tombi Singh was taken by the outfit after he failed to distance himself from BJP State unit president Chaoba Singh despite repeated warnings.

Tombi Singh had narrowly escaped when militants fired several rounds at him at his house at Kakwa Naorem Leikai area, about seven kms South of Imphal, on the night of March 30.

The statement said its "special operation team" could have killed Tombi Singh that day, but to avoid casualties among women and children, they left after firing about seven rounds.

KYKL would not, however, revoke the death sentence, it said.

Recalling its earlier decision to kill Chaoba Singh if he did not resign from the presidentship of Manipur BJP by February 15, KYKL said Chaoba Singh was "an agent of the Centre and an enemy of the revolutionary movement in the State".

The statement said since the BJP disobeyed the outfit's warning by not removing Chaoba Singh, KYKL would ban all activities of the party with immediate effect.

Opening of party offices, holding of meetings, flag hoisting, canvassing for vote and any BJP-related programmes would come under the purview of the "ban", the statement said.

KYKL would punish those who violated the "ban" by shooting them, it said, adding that the ban would continue till Chaoba Singh was expelled from the party.

Official sources said Chaoba Singh, who is under 'Z' category security, had already been provided extra guards belonging to Central para-military forces.

Narrating how he escaped death, Tombi Singh told mediapersons today that about five persons in black uniform followed him when he reached home along with some workers on Tuesday (Mar 30, 2004) night.

About two of them followed him near his room, saying that they wanted to use his personal telephone and suddenly caught hold of his right hand, Singh said.

After a struggle, he managed to free himself and after running into his room, he bolted the door from inside seconds before the militants opened fire aiming at the room, he said.

Seeking clarification from the attackers, Tombi Singh said he had not received any threat from any quarter nor was any demand letter for money served to him by any group.

Appealing to the militants not to repeat such incident, Tombi Singh said he joined politics to help and work for the downtrodden people after retirement from service as director of animal husbandry department (Manipur) some years ago.

Official sources said more security would be provided to Tombi Singh if he asked for it.