Imphal, June 10: Along with shutting down Khurai Lamlong Bazar for the day, a Wakat Meepham was staged at Khurai Puthiba Leikai today in protest against the killing of Thangjam Tiken s/o Bira of Khurai Puthiba Leikai.

Contrary to the police claim that Tiken was among the two UGs killed during an encounter with a combined force of Imphal West District Police Commandos and 32 Assam Rifles at Langthabal Meetei Lamkhai under Singjamei Police Station last night, the family members contended that he was an innocent person.

The other slain person has been identified as Laishram Momocha alias Suresh (23) s/o Shyamsunder of Naoremthong Laishram Leikai.

According to Thangjam Ongbi Ibemcha, wife of the deceased, Tiken (35) was an innocent person dealing in furniture items from home along with engagement of two carpenters and yesterday he had left on his scooter for Seijang carrying around Rs 20,000 for arrangement some woods.

However, the family members received the news that he had been picked up by some police commandos in civvies from North AOC area at around 3 pm.

One of the police commandos had reportedly driven his scooter at the time of taking him along with them.

In this connection, a report had been lodged with the police station.

After spending the whole night without any information on the whereabouts of Tiken, the family members came across the news paper report this morning that he was killed in an encounter.

Tiken left behind two kids, a 13 year old son and a daughter of about 5 years old.

Decrying the killing, Ibemcha contended that her husband did not have any connection with any underground organisations and had been killed just for the sake taking away the money he had carried.

MLA of Khurai Assembly Constituency Dr Ng Bijoy who had also come to participate in the protest demonstration and share the grief of the bereaved family members, observed that the conduct of the security personnel to kill a person and later dubbing him as an underground activist is really unfortunate.

Such incident should not happen.

It is because of such conduct of the security forces that the people cannot live in peace, he said, while exerting pressures on the Government and other authorities concerned to find out the truth.