Miscreants open fire, rob jewelleries
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 29 2009: Some unidentified persons not only threatened the Pradhan of Lairenjam-Meijrao Gram Panchayat by opening fire at his residence but also snatched away one necklace and a mobile phone handset from his wife last night.

The unidentified persons committed the violence and robbery at the Irom Meijrao Maning Leikai Pukhri Achouba Mapal residence of Pradhan Sougrakpam Manihar (38) at about 7.45 last night.

While one youth opened fire, another stood guard at the main door of the house blocking all the family members from coming out.

Taking strong exception to the twin act of assault and robbery, womenfolk of Irom Meijrao and surrounding villages staged a protest demonstration today.

The TV which was fired upon

Recounting the incident, Sorojini, the Pradhan's wife, said that two unidentified persons entered their house and asked for her husband.

As they were told that he was not at home, the intruders said that Sorojini should receive the penalty if Manihar was away.

The next moment, one of them fired at the television and battery invertor.

Then they snatched one gold-coated necklace from Sorojini's neck and seized a mobile phone hand-set.

Sorojini was asked to move her feet a little but in the meantime they fired two shots.

Fortunately, one bullet hit the floor and the other the base of the door.

"We were not allowed to raise any voice.

Before leaving, they threatened our three children by brandishing their guns'", Sorojini recalled.

About two weeks back, one hand grenade was left at the residence of Manihar.

One individual who identified himself as an activist of KCP (City Meitei) asked Manihar to collect Rs 50,000 each from the 15 Gram Panchayats under Imphal West II Block for the party.

"We know the grenade was placed at my residence for not responding to their diktat.

But we have no idea who was behind last night's attack", said Pradhan Manihar.

On the other hand, the women folk who took part in today's protest demonstration have urged all concerned to explain last night's act of assault and robbery.

Five spent cartridges, one live round and one projectile were recovered from the spot of the incident.