Roads blocked to protest youth's killing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 27: Contradicting the police claim that Dhamen and Suranjoy were killed by a combined force during a shoot out at Kongba Nongthombam Leikai in the evening of February 25, the JACs formed to protest the killings have asserted that both of them have been picked up from Kakwa area.

Youths enforcing road blockade along the mayai lambi route

Protesting the killing, volunteers of the JACs formed in connection with killing of Suranjoy has also blocked the Mayai Lambi for an indefinite period from early morning today.

While on the other hand, the JAC formed in connection with killing of Dhamen resorted to road blockade at Lilong area today.

However, the Lilong JAC has temporarily suspended its agitation following assurance given by the Chief Minister to the JAC members to wait till tomorrow for discussing the matter during a joint meeting.

A public meeting held later in the afternoon today has also resolved to continue with sit-in-protest demonstration at Lilong Bazar until the matter has been resolved.

Police claim that Yengkhom Dhamen (38) of Chajing Mairenkhong and Thongam Suranjoy (28) s/o Birkumar of Yumnam Huidrom Makha Leikai were killed by a combined force of 32 Assam Rifles and Imphal East Commandos during an alleged encounter which took place at Kongba Nongthombam Leikai in the evening of February 25. However, the JACs contended that both were picked up by the combined force while they were purchasing chicken from a shop at Kakwa.

Suranjoy had reportedly gone along with Dhamen to get chicken in connection with inviting one of the married sisters of Dhamen to the customary feasting on completion of one month of marriage.

In protest of the killing, the JAC set up in connection with killing of Suranjoy has indefinitely blocked the Mayai Lambi since early morning today.

The road block was total especially in between Hiyangthang and Yumnam Huidrom.

Demanding the Government to arrest all those security personnel responsible for killing Suranjoy and award them with befitting punishment, the JAC has refused to take the body.

The body of Dhamen is also still lying at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital with family members refusing to take it back The JAC formed in connection with killing Dhamen has also warned of calling a State-wide general strike in case the Government fails to do the needful in connection with its demand.