Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Sep 02:
Despite an agreement reached between representatives of the JAC Against the Killing of Longjam Surjit and the Chief Minister O Ibobi, the indefinite bandh called by the JAC along Mayai Lambi against the alleged extra-judicial killing of Longjam Surjit (24) s/o L Kulla of Samurou by Maratha Light Infantry troops on September 1 was enforced more intensely today afternoon.
It is reported that the people of Samurou and Mayai Lambi were unsatisfied with the terms of the agreement and even went to the extent of looking out for the JAC leaders who signed the deal.
However, there is no report of any untoward incident in connection with the said issue.
It may be mentioned that the Samurou locals protesting against the youth's slaying have been pursuing demands for a judicial inquiry, payment of adequate compensation to family of the deceased, shifting of MLI post from Mayang Imphal and complete repealing of AFPSA 1958 in areas covered by Mayai lambi/Samurou.
According to the agreement signed between the JAC and the State Government, a magisterial inquiry would be conducted against the killing by District Magistrate Imphal West and the inquiry report would be submitted within a month.
Moreover, post mortem examination of the deceased would be video recorded.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the two parties.
Earlier, all passenger buses and other vehicles were forced to take alternative routes in place of the Mayai Lambi due to the indefinite bandh imposed by the JAC along the route since yesterday.
On the other hand, a statement issued by the PRO IGAR (S) reteirated that the youth was killed in an encounter.
It contended that MLI troops acting on specific information regarding movement of armed cadres in the area took their position at Naorem Chaprou when two persons on horse backs approached them at around 1:20 am of September 1 along the western bank of Nambul river.
When the troops asked them to stop, one of them opened fire and tried to gallop away.
One of the militant was killed in the retaliatory fire, claimed the statement adding that a .38 pistol with two live rounds were recovered from the deceased.
Contrary to the PRO statement, N Brajamani who accompanied Surjit on the fateful day asserted that they went along the river bank to herd-in Surjit's horse.
As he stayed back to respond to nature's call, Surjit went ahead and crossed a bailey bridge over the river to find his horse but moments later gun-shots were heard following which he rushed back home, Brajamani recounted.
The bereaved family also rejected the claim of the PRO contending that Surjit left home at around 7 pm of August 31 to bring his horse back home.
The deceased is still lying at RIMS morgue as family members refused to take the corpse.