Locals protest 'arrest of suspects'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 28 2014:
A large number of womenfolk today staged a sit in protest at Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Community hall demanding the unconditional release of Loitongbam Hemchandra and his two sons who were arrested by the Imphal West police commandos in connection with the bomb blast inside Angel Digital Media Service, Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai on December 26 .
Speaking to media persons, L Kadam, president of Chaokhat Khongthang Lamjing Nupi Lup said that although one of Loitongbam Hemchandra's sons is a member of a militant group since the past 15 years, he and his two sons who were arrested by the police are innocent.
Hemchandra and his family members were having their dinner when they were arrested by the police around 8 pm of Dec 26, just around one hour after the blast, Kadam said while adding that people of the locality were witnesses to the incident.
Although one of the family members is a member of a militant outfit, the rests are daily bread earners, she said.
Appealing to the authority concerned for the unconditional release of all innocent family members of Hemchandra at the earliest, the CKLNL president warned of launching various forms of agitation if the demand is not heeded.
It may be mentioned that the police through the PRO in a press release claimed to have arrested Loitongbam Bimol (40) s/o Hemchandra of Moirang Hanuba Mamang Leikai during frisking and checking at Sagolband Moirang Leirak Crossing on December 26 .
Bimol was reported to have revealed that he hurled the bomb at Angel's Digital Media Service and triggered the blast under the command and instruction of a KYKL cadre, Tompok, who is the younger brother of Bimol.
The PRO press release also mentioned that Bimol revealed that the bomb was handed over to him by his father L Hemchandra and his younger brother L Dinachandra alias Ibomcha (35) of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Mamang Leikai after which a team of police commando raided their residence and picked up his father and brother the same night.
It is also worthwhile mentioning that Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam claimed that two persons involved in the blast were arrested.