Imphal, January 07: Terming the reported comments of a police officer declaring Rome as innocent in the Lungnila Elizabeth murder case, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has accused the Police Department of failing to control the mob that damaged properties of the student organization yesterday night.

Talking to news-persons this evening at the DMC campus headquarters of the student body, AMSU president Longjam Joykumar attributed the public flare-up to irresponsible conduct of the police department led by no less than a Superintendent of Police (SP).

Elaborating on events leading to the mob-violence Joykumar said meira paibi members handed over Rome to the AMSU headquarters at around 7.30 pm after the man was nabbed and subsequently handed over to the meira paibis by the underground UNLF.

As the murder had shocked people of the State, hundreds of people from all direction thronged the AMSU office demanding that the culprit be punished immediately, he said adding a police contingent led by the SP arrived and asked for Rome.

But taking into account public sentiment, AMSU insisted on handing over the accused after a day-break through strict compliance with legal strictures, Joykumar informed while lamenting that the police officer retorted by making irresponsible remarks that further infuriated the large gathering.

Contributing to the already tense situation was the action of the police commando Officer-in-charge who forcibly unlocked and whisked away the accused resulting in chaos and subsequent targeting of AMSU properties by the agitated mob, he said clarifying that the public action was not deliberately aimed at the student organization adding that their anger was directed against the conduct of the security personnel.

Accusing the Police Department of aggravating the situation that led to arson, AMSU demanded appropriate punitive action from SI to IG ranked police officials failing which strong protest agitation would be launched.

To press its demand, an AMSU delegation called on the Chief Minister at around 2.30 pm, conveyed the president while appealing to the general public to extend further cooperation in detecting and arresting the remaining murder accused.

Asserting that AMSU volunteers, on getting information of the kidnap and murder master-mind Letsei Haokip alias James staying at Langol Housing Complex, a raid was conducted at Type III quarter but the suspect had already left for Kangvai along with his wife and children this morning, disclosed Joykumar while appealing to the Kuki brethren to cooperate in arresting the absconder.

Joining the press briefing, AMSU general secretary Jotin Salam said the student body would press for either capital punishment or life imprisonment of all the Lungnila murder accused.

Former general secretary Chidananda chipping in said considering the prolong failure of State authorities to expeditiously dispose the case endeavor of the underground organization to deliver justice could not be undermined.

He also expressed apprehension on whether some high ranking police officials have been deliberately trying to delay arrest taking into account that the matter has surpassed over 50 days.