Imphal, Nov. 27: The Okram Ibobi Singh government today constituted a special investigation team to track down the killers of Konsam Rishikanta Singh, junior sub-editor of Imphal Free Press.

Police recovered the bullet-riddled body of Rishikanta from Langol area of Imphal West in the evening of November 17.

The killing triggered a ceasework by journalists in Manipur from November 19 and suspension of all daily papers in the state from November 20.

The scribes, gathered under the banner of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union, are demanding a judicial inquiry into the murder.

The constitution of the special investigation team came a day after the scribes’ union supported by citizens’ groups took out a procession in Imphal to denounce the government’s inaction to do anything in the case.

A source said inspector-general of police (intelligence), L.M. Khaute, will head the three-member special team.

The other members of the team are K. Tomba Singh, additional superintendent of police, Imphal West, and N. Herojit Singh, sub-divisional police officer of Imphal West.

A source in the All Manipur Working Journalists Union said the government was yet to inform it about the special investigation team.

Members of the union decided to continue with the strike.

The general secretary of the union, Y. Biren, said it was not happy with the setting up of the special investigation team as it was demanding a judicial inquiry. He also slammed the government for its delayed reaction.

Employees strike

Manipur government employees today launched an indefinite strike demanding implementation of the sixth Pay Commission recommendations.

Members of the Joint Administrative Council of employees’ unions joined the strike.

L. Priyobrata, information and publicity secretary of the council, said employees of essential services and teachers of government educational institutions had not joined the ceasework but would do so if the government remained indifferent to their demand.

The council launched the strike after a series of agitation, which began on November 6.