Imphal, January 30: Strongly protesting the assassination of a police Constable and his cousin brother on the night of January 28 at Kakmayai by unidentified gunmen, residents of Yairipok, from where the two victims hailed today took out a procession with the bodies of the two at Yairipok area.

The JAC formed against the killing of the two persons has also served a three day ultimatum to the responsible group to clarify the reason behind the twin killings within three days time or else they will take up stringent protests.

At 8.30 am today, a large procession was taken out from Yairipok Heitroipokpi Khoirom along with the two bodies and taken to Azad ground, Yairipok, where the gathering observed a two minute silence to pay respect to the departed souls.

Strongly condemning the twin killings, the rallyists shouted slogans urging all armed groups to stop targeting innocent people and to give up the culture of heaping blames on the victims after exterminating them.

The two victims, police Constable Md Helim alias Sanayai and his cousin brother Md Akbar were found shot dead at Kakmayai Lamkhai.

Speaking to newsmen, one Md Tomba said that the two victims left for a football tournament at Kasom Khullen along with one Sanajaoba alias Ningmayo of Nambasi village on January 28.The three were taken captives by the unidentified gunmen, but Ningmayo was released later, he said.

After the rally, the last rites of the two victims were performed in the evening.

The indefinite bandh on the Yairipok-Kasom Khullen route is however still in force.

All passenger services remained suspended for the day.

It was a heart rending sight to see some people from Kasom Khullen side making their way on foot with their luggage.

A bandh was also imposed at Yairipok bazar and the surrounding areas today to protest the twin killings.

The fathers of the two victims demanded to know for what crimes their sons have been punished so brutally.

Speaking to newsmen they said,"It would have been so much more better if only we were told of their misdeeds earlier so that we could have done something to correct them".

Now that two have been killed, many charges may be levelled against them, said the two grieving fathers.

"It will be hard to believe or digest any charges that may be levelled against them now, since they are no longer here to defend themselves," added the two elders.

"If our sons were guilty of anything, we don't think they would have gone to Kasom Khullen to attend a football tournament in private," reasoned the fathers.

President of the JAC Kunjamani Laishram said if the two were really guilty, then the killers should come out and state the reason.

If they were innocent, then the killers should apologise to the public, he said and added that those responsible for the twin killings should be given punishment in front of the public.

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