Imphal, July 24: Firebrand Opposition MLA O Joy Singh today expressed serious apprehension of foul play in connection with the death of a 37-year old Thoubal resident at Tamenglong sometime in February last.

Taking up a call attention motion, Joy informed the House that a complaint had been lodged to the police for investigating the alleged killing and subsequent, burial of one Moirangthem Deven (37) of Thoubal at Phelong village in Tamenglong district on February 15 last, but the police instead of looking into the matter stoically maintained that the said person was a fugitive killer wanted by them.

Joy said that the complaint was lodged by the deceased's mother on February 28 last pleading the Tamenglong SP to investigate and help in recovering her son's body, but till date the Government and its police force have not done any substantial work to find out the true fact and provide succor to the bereaved family.

As stated by the Opposition MLA in the House, Deven was a manual laborer who earned his livelihood by sawing timbers at Tamenglong.

On February 15 last Tamenglong police informed the Kakching police that Deven was absconding after killing a person.

But when the mother went to look for his son, she learnt from his co-workers, much to her surprise that her son had indeed been killed.

Subsequently, she lodged a complaint to the police for finding out the facts and circumstances leading to the death of her son, but the police did nothing, Joy alleged.

In his reply to Joy's motion, Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio said that he has the report that Deven went to the house of one Charlio Lakpu on February 14 at about 9 pm and after a heated argument, he shot Lakpu to death.

Lakpu's wife filed a complaint to the Tamenglong police, who took up the case, but Deven has been absconding.

The Chief Minister further said that on hearing the reports of a body found abandoned at Longjom hill, 45 kms north east of Tamenglong PS, a team of police went to find out whether it was that of Deven, but identity of the body was established as that of one Chirom Arunkumar of Kangmong Langoljam Leikai.