Imphal, December 03 2008: In protest against the killing of two persons during an alleged encounter by a combined force of Thoubal District Police Commandos and personnel of 34 Assam Rifles at Pechi Lamkhai under Yairipok Police Station at around 6.10 pm of December 1, though their family members claimed them to be innocent, a mass protest demonstration was staged at Kakwa area of the National Highway 39 today by blocking half of the road.

The protest demonstration was organised under the aegis of Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Killing of Waikhom Rabichandra Singh alias Kabi and Waikhom Somen Singh of Ningomthong Kitna Panung.

As a result of the protest demonstration, traffic flow along the said route was disrupted leading to traffic jam.

On reaching the news about the mass protest demonstration which began from 11 am, a large number of police personnel rushed in and stayed alert to prevent the situation from getting out of control.

Afterward, when the MLA of Thongju A/C Bijoy Koijam arrived, he led a team of the JAC representatives to meet the Chief Minister and discuss the issue.

After the Chief Minister gave the assurance of taking up necessary action in this connection, the mass protest demonstration was suspended.

Following the agreement, the JAC has stated that the post-mortem of Waikhom Rabichandra alias Rabi and Waikhom Somen is expected to be carried out tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the identity of another person who was also killed by the combined force in the same alleged encounter has been identified as Wangkheimayum Hemanta (22) s/o Samuyai of Kakwa Lamdaibung.

According to family members, Hemanta was a married man having a six years old son and he was earning his livelihood as a construction worker.

On the other hand, the identity of the person who was killed by Imphal West Police Commandos during an alleged encounter near Imphal Airport under Lamphel Police Station at around 5.45 pm yesterday has been established today.

He was one Kshetrimayum Ranjan (38) s/o Kshetrimayum Noni of Nagamapal Soram Leirak.

According to family members, Ranjan was a person whose wedding date had already been fixed.