Imphal, August 26: The people of Lairenjam under Nambol police station are caught in an uneasy and furious situation following the abduction of one Khwairakpam Kiran (28) s/o late Ibocha of their locality by some unknown persons who identified themselves as personnel of the Excise Department.

The unknown persons also shot at Kiran.

A late report informed that the corpse of Kiran was recovered from a canal located to the West of Western College, Konthoujam under Patsoi police station at about 7 pm today.

When police personnel went to Excise Office today, they found it locked.

Police have picked up the body and deposited it at RIMS mortuary.

Kiran and two other companions were taking rest near Dolaithabi canal in Yarou agricultural field, to the West of Konthoujam Kabui village, at about 9 pm of August 24 when one of the three individuals who came on two scooters opened fire towards Kiran.

Kiran and his two companions-Ningthoujam Somorjit (25) s/o Rajen of Bamdiar Ahallup and Nongthombam Basanta (34) s/o Tomba of Kakyai Awang Leikai, were coming back on hoirse backs bringing with them country made liquor from Phayeng.

On the way back, they took rest near Dolaithabi canal.

According to Basanta and Somorjit, of the three scooterists who identified themselves as Excise personnel posted at New Keithelmanbi along NH 53, one wore plain clothes while the other two were clad in khaki.

The one clad in plain clothes covered his mouth with a red handkerchief and wielded a long barrel gun.

At first, it seemed that the three were coming to retrieve fishes from fish nets and traps but they approached straight towards Kiran.

Then the man in plain clothes held Kiran at gun point and shot him before the other two whisked away Kiran in one scooter.

Moments later, the gun wielding man too left the place.

Basanta and Somorjit further informed that they heard the two men clad in Khaki talking in a tribal dialect just before taking away Kiran.

Soon after Somorjit and Basanta informed the people of Lairenjam about the incident, some people went to the spot.

They found three clubs, a slipper and blood stains.

A team of Nambol police inspected the spot on the next day (August 25).In connection with the abduction of Kiran, a public meeting was held yesterday at Lairenjam Mayai Leikai community hall and resolved to form a joint action committee.

Today too, another public meeting was held at the same venue with local MLA RK Anand.

During the meeting, it was agreed to submit a written complaint to the Chief Minister in order the ascertain the facts surrounding the abduction and to secure safe release of Kiran.

Accordingly, a team of JAC and MLA RK Anand talked with Chief Minister O Ibobi today evening.

The JAC representatives were told that SP Imphal West has been instructed to take into custody all the staff of New Keithelmanbi Excise Outpost including its OC.

The Chief Minister assured that befitting actions will be taken up if any Excise personnel is found guilty.

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