Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Kohima, September 05, 2009:
Manipur People's Party (MPP) today demanded unconditional release of its General Secretary, Yumnam Khemchand asserting that he had opened fire only to protect himself from some unknown persons who had threatened him at Singjamei.
Meanwhile, Khemchand, who has been arrested by the police on the charge of misusing his licensed gun, was produced before the Duty Magistrate today and remanded in police custody for two days till Monday.
MPP president, Dr Nimaichand Luwang clarified to media-persons that the party General Secretary had opened fire from his licenced gun in 'self defence,� and flayed the police for charging him of attempt to kill people in the case registered against him.
He said, Khemchand had fired his licensed gun when he was threatened by some persons who surrounded him on the night of September 3 at Singjamei market on his way back home.
Khemchand did not attempt to shoot at any one, and none had lodged a complaint to the police for life attempt by the General Secretary.
Police detained him only to divert the people's agitations demanding resignation of Chief Minister, O Ibobi.
If police fail to release him without any condition, the party will launch agitations for his release, he said.
On the other hand, the Duty Magistrate gave permission to the police to remand him in their custody till 2 pm of Monday next for further investigation into the case registered against him.
He was arrested by the police yesterday afternoon for allegedly causing panic to people by firing some rounds using his licensed gun.
Singjamei police registered an FIR case against him under section 25 (1-B) of 307 Armed Act and under section 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act.
Khemchand was produced in the court of the Duty Magistrate as police could not produce him in the court of the CJM, Imphal during the court hours.
His counsel argued that the charges leveled against him by the police are baseless ones.