GP member shot dead in front of wife
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 24 2010: A Zilla Parishad member was shot dead by unidentified armed persons in front of his own wife at Nambol Thiyam Awang Leikai in a Bishnupur district area last night.

According to police report, two unidentified armed youths came to the Nambol Thiyam Leikai residence of Thokchom Sanayanba (58), who is a member of Utlou Zilla Parishad at around 10.30 pm yesterday.

After calling out Sanayanba from inside the house, one of the armed youth opened fire at Sanayanba without saying anything.

With grievous bullet injuries on the left side of the stomach and left armpit, Sanayanba was rushed to hospital but succumbed en route.

Information received from family members said that Sanayanba went to Kha Sanjenbam yesterday afternoon to hand over construction materials like iron and cement bags for a construction work and in the evening he was staying at the house after attending a Swasti Puja in the same locality when some people called him out from outside.

A protest demonstration staged at Utlou to denounce murder of utlou GP Member Sanayanba

His wife Apabi Devi cautioned him against going out but Sanayanba insisted nothing will happen.

So, both went out.

As soon as the main door of the house was opened, they saw two youths standing outside.

When Sanayanba inquired what they want, one of the armed youths opened fire.

Condemning the brutal killing, a public meeting was held at Nambol Thiyam Awang Leikai today.

Apart from formation of a JAC to fight for justice, various resolutions have also been adopted during the meeting.

The resolutions include demand for arrest of the killers within three days by the Government and its agencies, clarification over the killing from the side of all UG groups, if any, within three days and payment of adequate compensation as well as providing a Govt job to next of kin of the bereaved family.

Furthermore, the meeting decided that the body would not be taken until all the demands are fulfilled within the stipulated deadline.

Sanayanba left behind his wife, four daughters and a son.

His body is still laying at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital.

Meanwhile, Nambol police have registered a case and started an investigation into the incident.

On the other hand, coming out strongly against the killing of Utlou Zilla Parishad member Th Sanayanba in front of his own wife last night, Manipur State Zilla Parishad Forum and Manipur State Panchayat Parishad have demanded that armed group, if any, involved in the criminal act come out with an explanation over the killing within two days.

Addressing a press conference jointly at Manipur Press Club here today, representatives of the two bodies said that if no explanation is furnished within the stipulated deadline, then the act would be considered as goodaism.

Even if Sanayanba committed some mistakes, he should be given the opportunity to correct himself, they added.

Disclosing that 50 percent of the fund released under Panchayat and Zilla Paridhad goes to meet the percentage of various UG groups, the representatives categorically stated that instead of the percent cut it would be better for the UG groups to monitor whether the benefit of the fund is reaching out to the people or not.

It is unfortunate that the members, Pradhans, Adhyakshas and Up-Adhyakshas of Panchayat and Zilla Parishad have become the soft target of the UGs and the Government has not listen to the appeal for protection, they lamented.