'Custodial death' sparks protest in Imphal East
May 11 deadline set for deliverance of justice
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 08 2011:
A man died in police custody today.
The custodial death has sparked an angry protest at Lamlai area of Imphal East district and police resorted to firing several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protestors blocking the Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Thokchom Ranjit (40) of Etam Nungoi village was picked up by a team of police commandos attached with the Imphal East police yesterday around 1.30 pm and his dead body was found deposited at JNIMS morgue today around 10 am.
Sources believed that Ranjit was arrested by police who apparently suspected him of being an UG cadre.
He was once arrested by the police but was released on the same day.
Family members said that after Ranjit was taken away by a team of Imphal East police commandos, they along with some villagers went to the Imphal East police HQ at Porompat to know the reasons behind the detention of Ranjit.
But, no sooner had they came out of the police station, the family was informed of his death and was asked to come and collect his dead body from the JNIMS morgue.
In protest against the custodial death, villagers took to the street along the Imphal-Ukhrul road and blocked the traffic at Yorbung area which is before reaching Lamlai coming from Imphal.
The situation turned tense and police were deployed in a big way to avoid untoward incidents and the protestors were dispersed by firing tear gas shells and using other mob dispersion devices.
Police tried their best to resume normal traffic as the Chief Minister was about to take the route on way to inspect the progress of the Thoubal multi-purpose project.
Except for some minor injuries incurred while to avoid tear gas shells, no major casualties were reported.
Later, villagers formed a joint action committee (JAC) which denounced the lock-up leading to death of the person and prevented a postmortem examination demanding a judicial enquiry into the incident.
The JAC insisted that the process of a postmortem examination should be done under video coverage in the presence of its representatives.
A public meeting organised by the JAC resolved to demand termination of the commander of the police commando team behind the arrest of Ranjit and suspension of other personnel from their service on or before May 11 .
If the demands are not fulfilled they will intensify their agitation, the JAC also resolved.