Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal/Jiribam, February 11:
Out of the two poll workers of an Independent candidate in Jiribam A/C reportedly assaulted by supporters of Th Debendra, INC candidate in the same constituency, in the intervening night of February 9 and 10 at Sorok Atingbi Hill Ghat, some 5 kms East of Jiribam police station, one succumbed to injuries yesterday at around 10 am.
High tension prevailed at Jiribam following the death of the poll worker.
The deceased is identified as Khangenbam Pradip (37) of Sorok Atingbi.
Kh Pradip along with Gurumayum Mahesh (37), a fellow supporter of Independent candidate Elangbam Dipti, were reportedly called out from their homes by about 20/30 supporters of the INC nominee who came in three Gypsys and one Tata Sumo who thrashed them blue and black at Sorok Atingbi along NH-53.Both Pradip and Mahesh were rushed to Jiribam Community Health Centre.
As the condition of Pradip deteriorated, he was admitted to Silchar Medical College.
Following further deterioration of his condition there, Pradip was taken to Guwahati but he succumbed on the way.
It is reported that Pradip suffered critical head injuries.
Infuriated with the death of Kh Pradip, a mob attacked the Dibong Khunou residence of Th Debendra yesterday and committed arson.
Today too, some parts of the Jiribam CHC building were demolished by an angry mob after Dr Baba of the CHC refused to conduct post mortem on the corpse of Pradip.
The mob pelted stones at the CHC and the doctors' quarters.
Demanding that the the corpse should not be taken to Silchar for post mortem, the people picketed the Jiribam PS.
The enraged people were reportedly trying to take the corpse to the residence of Th Debendra.
After dispersing the agitators by firing tear gas shells and some rounds in the air, police took the corpse to Silchar for post mortem at around 11 am today.
To control the situation, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 at the sub-division from today morning.
After post mortem the body was brought back at Jiribam today at about 7 pm.
A large number of people again gathered to receive the body.
To pre-empt further trouble, police went around announcing the imposition of CrPC and asked the people to take back the body peacefully.
However till the time of filing this report, the people had refused to take back the body and it is still lying in front of the police station.
The enraged people of Jiribam have also decided to submit a memorandum to the ADC to demand a probe into the murder of Pradip.
Even as a few pedestrians were out on the streets, all vehicles stayed off the roads and commercial establishments and markets downed shutters after the mob was dispersed by the police.
Four leaders of the mob named in assaulting Pradip and Mahesh have been pulled up by the police.
The apprehended supporters of Th Debendra are identified as Yumnam Thoiba (36) of Hill Ghat, Khuraijam Chand (26) of Sorok Atingbi, A Suresh (22) and Chungtham Ratan (24) of Sorok Atingbi.
Another prime accused Longjam Sankar of Uchathol is absconding.