Shantikumar was a KYKL cadre: CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that Thoudem Shantikumar (28) who was killed in an alleged encounter by a combined was a cadre of the proscribed KYKL.

During a meeting with the JAC formed in protest against the killing when they come to submit a memorandum today, the Chief Minister reportedly conveyed that Shantikumar was a KYKL cadre and the combined force was laying in wait for him following specific information about his coming to carry out some tasks.

In case the combined force did not retaliated the firing in time, then there would have been much human casualties.

A resident of Kakwa Lamdaibung, Shantikumar was reportedly killed by a combined force of Imphal West Police Commandos and personnel of 16 Assam Rifles during an encounter at Tairenpokpi in the afternoon of March 24. According to police report, one Stengun and a magazine of AK Rifles loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from his possession.

However, talking to mediapersons at Lamdaibung Social Club later during the day in connection with the meeting with the Chief Minister, convenor of the JAC Thokchom Sunil Meetei said that the response of the Chief Minister to the memorandum submitted is not satisfactory and so the JAC would continue with its agitation.

A joint public meeting to be attended by representatives of various social organisations would be convened tomorrow morning to decide the future course of actions to be taken up, he informed.

In its memorandum, the JAC has given 48 hours deadline to the Government to make public the identity of the killers and punish them apart from taking up necessary measures to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future.

The memorandum has also made it clear the body of Shantikumar would not be taken until the punishments of the killers.

Over these demands of the JAC, a general strike had ben called today along the National Highway 39 stretch from Singjamei to Lilong.

In support of the general strike, a large number of local people today came out to block the Imphal-Moreh Road at Kakwa area since early morning today.

However, the police dispersed the strike supporters.

Afterward, a Wakat Meepham was staged by the local people in protest against the killing.