Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 23:
Violence erupted yet again at Khurai Thoidingjam Leikai today forcing the police and IRB personnel to fire several rounds of gun fire and tear gas canisters, even as the last rites of Ahongshangbam Nandalal, whose body was found shot dead and abandoned by unidentified gunmen, near the temple of Lai Khurembi at Khurai Sajor Leikai under Porompat Police Station yesterday morning has been performed today after the JAC formed in connection with the killing agreed to take the body back.
The body has been lying at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital since yesterday.
The JAC agreed to take back the body after Chief Minister in-charge Th Devendra gave his reassurance to look into its demands which include immediate arrest of the killers, payment of Rs 5 lakhs as ex-gratia and providing Government job to one of the family members of the victim.
Imphal East police have also reportedly arrested a youth in connection with the killing of Nandalal this morning from Kongpal area.
According to information received here, the arrested youth is identified as one Mutum Mahajon ( 26) s/o M Ibopishak of Kongpal Sajor Sorok Khaibam Leikai.
The youth is said to be one of the persons involved in the fighting that occurred near the Lai Haraoba place from where Nandalal had been picked up by the gunmen.
Later in the afternoon, police and IRB personnel fired several rounds of guns and tear gas canisters to quell violent Khurai public who were trying to burn down the house of one suspected killer of Ahongshangbam Nandalal this evening.
On hearing the news that one Laishram Roji (20) s/o Tharongou of Khurai Thoidingjam Leikai had allegedly surrendered to the police in connection with the killing, infuriated local people marched toward the house of Roji with the intention of burning it down.
Police and IRB personnel arrived at the nick of time and stopped them from proceeding further.
This further infuriated the protesters and started pelting stones towards the security personnel compelling them to fire tear gas shells and blank firing, said sources.
Police sources, however, said that based on certain information a team of Imphal West Police have gone to the house of Roji this morning to arrest him but he was not at home.
Later in the afternoon, Roji along with some senior persons came to the police to enquire why he had been wanted in connection with the killing.
Involvement of Roji in the killing has not yet been established nor he had surrendered to the police.