Imphal, April 26 2009: Normal life in Thoubal district was thrown out of gear due to the 24 hours bandh called in the district today in connection with the killing of one Elangbam Kiranjit of Thoubal Haokha Mamang Leikai.

A number of bandh supporters came out to the roads and enforced the bandh by scattering broken glasses and burning tyres on the roads.

On the other hand, many women sustained injuries by tear gas shells fired by police to drive away the bandh supporters.

Elangbam Kiranjit (26) s/o E Ibohal was shot dead by a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 23 AR in a reported encounter near Laikoi Ching under Imphal East district in the morning of April 24 .

Though the police claimed that Kiranjit was a cadre of KCP (MC), the bereaved family has been contending that he was an innocent civilian and a player.

He went out from home to herd in cow in the evening of April 23 .

Decrying the killing, a JAC constituted in this connection called a 24 hours bandh in Thoubal district today.

Speaking to media persons, bereaved mother Elangbam Esheihanbi maintained that her son was not connected with any UG group.

Expressing strong resentment over the brutal killing of her son, Esheihanbi said that the corpse will not be claimed until and unless the truth is established and the culprits punished.

The JAC submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister against the killing yesterday.

In addition to demanding befitting action against the commandos involved in the killing of Kiranjit, the memorandum cried out against the alleged practice of killing people and later dubbing them as UG cadres.

It also demanded resignation of the Home Minister for failure to protect lives of innocent citizens.

According to Subhajit, Kiranjit's younger brother, Kiranjit was an athlete.

Kiranjit won 15th position in the mega marathon organised by the UPF this year.

Denouncing the act of dubbing his brother as a UG cadre after killing him, Subhajit also sought justice.

Because of the 24 hours general strike, schools and colleges located in Thoubal district remained shut.

Inter-district bus services remained off the road and attendance in Government offices was very thin.

Meanwhile, JAC secretary Lisham Tomba said that the local people know that Kiranjit was an innocent civilian.

They also know from where and who picked him up.

Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here today, Tomba rubbished the police claim of recovery of weapon from Kiranjit and the allegation that he was a UG cadre.

He questioned as to how the commandos managed to turn the bicycle, mobile phone and the rope for binding cow into a gun.

The JAC further cautioned that intense agitation will be launched on state-wide scale from April 28 in association with several civil organisations in case befitting actions are not initiated against the commandos involved in the killing.

Saying that the commander and commando personnel involved in the killing of Kiranjit, currently attached to Thoubal police station are known to the people, Tomba asked family members of the commandos to hand over the accused commando personnel to the JAC within the current week.

Educational institutions will be exempted from any agitation that may launched by the JAC against the killing in coordination with the people of Manipur, Tomba added.

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