Abducted father-son duo found shot dead
Irate mob set on fire Irilbung water supply scheme, Imphal-Yairipok road blocked
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 16 2011: In a shocking incident, Chowkidar of Irilbung Water Supply Scheme Soram Ibomcha and his son Yaiphu alias Geetchandra, whose whereabouts have remained unknown after being abducted reportedly by armed cadres of KCP (MTF) Kesho group on the night of December 7 in connection with monetary demand of Rs 20 lakh from Public Health Engineering Department, were found shot dead.

The bullet-riddled bodies of 60-year old Ibomcha and his 25-year old son Yaiphu alias Geetchandra were found abandoned atop Keitanlok hillock of Lemba Tangkhul village under Yairipok Police Station today.

The two victims were found blindfolded with their hands tied from behind and lying prostrated faces down over a blanket.

Both of them bore one fatal bullet mark each behind their ears.

Police have recovered one empty cartridge of 9 mm ammunition and a projectile.

It is suspected that both of them may have been killed at the same spot last night.

Police have picked up the bodies and kept at the mortuary of JNIMS pending post-mortem as the bereaved family members have not requested for conducting post-mortem or approach the police station concerned for claiming the same.

Originally a resident of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi, deceased Chowkidar Ibomcha had been staying at the quarters of Irilbung Water Supply Scheme along with the rest of his family members for the last many years.

Besides Yaiphu, Ibomcha left behind his wife and three children including a 18-year old son called Gandhi and one married daughter.

Yaiphu had been married for not even one year and his wife is eight months into pregnancy.

It is said that Yaiphu used to take up any available works to supplement the income of the family.

According to local people, Ibomcha joined the service as a casual staff of Irilbung water supply scheme in 1982.

Bullet riddled bodies of Ibomcha and his son at Keitanlok hill

Although he had been promoted as a Work-Charge employee along ago, his service was yet to be regularized.

As a consequence, the economic condition of the family was very poor.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, one of the local residents informed that two unknown armed persons came to the isolated quarters located little away from the water supply scheme at around 9.30 pm on December 7 and asked for Ibomcha for having some talks.

As his wife, Pakpi did not suspect anything; she called out her husband from the house.

When Ibomcha came out, the two armed intruders identified themselves as members of KCP (MTF) Kesho group and told him that the department has not paid its annual tax for the last two years and the elders of the party wanted to have some talks with him in this regard.

Seeing sign of hesitation on the part of Ibomcha, the armed intruders insisted that Yaiphu should also come along with his father.

When Pakpi requested for taking her instead, the armed intruders assured the father and son duo would be send back after some talks and it would not take long.

Pakpi did not agree and insisted on accompanying.

her husband and son, and was going inside the house to change her cloth when the armed intruders left taking her husband and son.

While in captivity, Yaiphu managed to make a call to the family members through a mobile phone once, telling them that secure their release and he could not bear any more.

When the news of the abduction spread, some of the local people went to the office of PHED at Khuyathong and tried to meet Chief Engineer Imocha.

As the Chief Engineer was not in his office, they went to his residence at Keishampat Top Leirak and met him.

However, the latter said he does not know the Chowkidar and it was not his duty to look after abducted people.

He also told them to go to the police to lodge complaint.

Subsequently, with the support of the local people, the family members organized at Wakat Meepham demanding release of the abducted father-son duo.

As the abducted father and his son were not released even after the Wakat Meepham, the agitated local people enforced road block along Imphal-Yairipok Road on December 14.In addition to this, the family members also lodged a complaint with the Irilbung Police Station.

On hearing the news about the recovery of the bodies of the abducted father-son duo today, a large number of people from Keirao, Bamon Kampu, Machahal, Kalika and its surrounding areas came out and enforced road block along Imphal-Yairipok road since morning.

An irate mob also set fire on the electric pumps, electric transformer and other electrical equipments of Irilbung water supply scheme.

They also caused damaged to the water pipeline of the water supply scheme.

To control the mob, personnel of Imphal East District police resorted to firing gear gas shells but to no avail.

Following the tense situation, Kongba and Irilbung markets remained closed for the day.

Protesting against the killing, a public meeting was held at Irilbung market.

Representatives of most prominent civil organizations attended the meeting.

Holding the PHED responsible for the death of the abducted Chowkidar and his son, the meeting demanded resignation of PHED Minister and Chief Engineer H Imocha on moral ground.

Among other resolutions, the meeting also demanded removal of Irilbung water supply scheme so as to ensure similar incidents are not repeated.