Attemted storming of Irilbung; PS after youth's death
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 23 2011: An irate crowd today stormed the Irilbung police station in Imphal east district angered over the alleged police inaction to book culprits involved in the death of a village youth.

Two women including the younger sister of deceased Asem Sunil sustained injuries when police baton charged to put the crowd under control.

Asem Sunil Meetei of Langdum Mayai Leikai, a grade-IV employee at Cheirap Court, succumbed to multiple injuries on the night of June 15 at JNIMS hospital.

When he was brought to the hospital, it was reported that he met an accident after his motorcycle knocked down a woman who coming out after watching a cinema at a local hall at Lairenpat, Bamonkampu.

The woman identified as Aribam Abe Devi also sustained injuries and was hospitalized in the same hospital.

Villagers of Sunil's village Langdum, however alleged that Sunil died as accomplices of the injured woman, beat him up after the accident.

They hit Sunil's head with a blunt weapon.

As a result, he succumbed to his injuries, said his family in a complaint lodged to the Irilbung PS.

Demanding booking of the culprits, a JAC formed in connection with the death of Sunil organized a rally today around 11 am at Langdum, Keirao, Machahal, Bamonkampu and its surrounding areas.

Rallyists converged at Keirao Khunou Lampak where a public meeting was held.

Police confront protesters trying to storm Irilbung PS

After the meeting, they marched towards Irilbung PS with slogans like 'Sunil was murdered', 'police should find out the culprits'.

They also alleged the police of trying to conceal the culprits.

Police baton-charged the crowd when they attempted to break the closed gates of the PS.

In the police action, two women, Asem Sunibala (20), younger sister of Sunil, and Kangabam Premi (35) wife of Brojen of Langdum Makha Leikai sustained injuries.

Sunibala sustained injuries in her head while Premi was injured in the thigh and knee.

They were admitted at JNIMS hospital, Porompat.

The tense situation calmed down after the police allowed a 10-member team of the JAC led by its convener, Hidam Santa to enter and hold talks with the 2nd OC of the PS.

During the talks, a heated argument erupted between the Investigating Officer and Social Worker N Itomba when the latter charged the IO for his inaction to book the culprits in the case.

The JAC members insisted the police to handover the case to them if the police could not arrest the culprits even as the 2nd OC convinced them they were investigating into the case and culprits will be arrested as per findings of the case.

After the inconclusive talks, the JAC members and the crowd tried to proceed towards Kongba Uchekon where suspects in the case hailed from, however the police blocked them.

Later, speaking to reporters, JAC leaders warned that if the police failed to keep the assurances given by them to book the culprits at the earliest, they will resort to intensified forms of agitations like blocking of roads until their demands were met.