Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 03:
Sekmai police personnel resorted to tear gas shelling, mockery bomb blasts and blank firing to disperse an agitated mob which attempted to storm the police station to protest the death of a youth from Awang Leikinthabi on August 30 evening allegedly in close range firing by a constable posted at the Sekmai police station.
In dispersing the agitators, mostly comprising of womenfolk, the security personnel used all available resources even going to the extent of hurling bricks that did not spare jacket-wearing media persons who had to scamper for cover.
The protest was in connection with the shooting to death of one Khumanthem Indrajit alias Tondon by constable Laishram Premjit of Jiribam Harinagar with his service carbine.
In connection with the killing, representatives of a JAC reached an agreement with the Chief Minister today evening following which the body decided to suspend its proposed agitation for the time being.
The agreement pertains to Government assurance for ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh before the shradh ceremony of Indrajit, appropriate punitive action against police personnel involved in the killing and providing a Government job to a younger brother of the victim.
Conveying that the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh personally gave the assurances, JAC representatives threatened to resume the agitation in case of failure to convert the promises into action within fifteen days.
Earlier in the day, a huge mob mostly comprising from Awang Leikinthabi and adjoining villages converged at Sekmai Bazar for a public meeting in connection with Indrajit�s death.
As temper rose during the hurriedly convened meeting, some youths led the mob towards the police station and security personnel starting firing when the agitated youths tried to barge through the second gate after breaching through the first security cordon.
Amid blank fires, police personnel also used several number of tear gas and mockery bombs to disperse the mob.
One Kakchingtabam Robindro Sharma sustained injury at the right arm in the melee.
Vehicular traffic also came to a standstill for about an hour from around 2.40 pm.
A police team led by DIG Range-I S dinokumar accompanied by Additional SP (IW) reached Sekmai police station on being informed of the public upheaval with Lamshang AC MLA W Brajabidhu also showing up soon enough.
Accepting Premjit�s involvement in the August 30 incident S Dinokumar assured appropriate action against the constable who is already under police custody.
He also informed of further inquiry undertaken by responsible officer of Lamphel police station under whose jurisdiction Sekmai PS lies while iterating that JAC demand for dismissal cannot be complied with immediately as procedural norms necessitates inquiry before any action.
Under the banner of �JAC against the killing of Kh Indrajit� the agitators staged sit-in-protest near Sekmai bazar from 9.30 am after which a meeting was held wherein a seven point resolution was adopted.
The resolutions include reference to Indrajit as IRB aspirant, condemnation over the killing, payment of Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia, accommodation of Government service to a family member of the deceased, dismissal of guilty police personnel including the police station OC and transfer of the entire Sekmai police station personnel.




