JAC for release of innocents, arrest of real culprits
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 07 2012:
The JAC formed in connection with the killing of one Punilchandra Handique (55) of Heirok Part-II Thouchom Leikai has demanded that the real culprit(s) involved in the murder be arrested at the earliest while two of the victim's relatives pulled up on ground of suspicion be released without further delay.
Speaking to news-persons at Manipur Press Club here today, JAC president Khundongbam Thambou claimed that apart from detention of two persons including Punil-chandra's wife Champamani (45) and a relative of the latter namely Moirangthem Ranjit Singh on ground of suspicion, police could make no further breakthrough in the case.
Contending that both Champamani and Ranjit Singh are innocent, Thambou informed that the wife had been staying at her maternal home where she was recuperating from burnt wounds inflicted due to LPG blast in March 2011 .
It is said that Punilchandra, who was actually from Sibsagar in Assam, settled at Heirok Part-II after marrying Champamani.
Punilchandra also left behind a 14-year old daughter.
Thambou also informed that a public meeting convened by a local organisation in connection with the death of Punilchandra had decried arrest of Champamani and Ranjit Singh by Thoubal district police.
The meeting had also resolved to demand unconditional release of the detained duo without further delay, he maintained.
The victim's daughter namely Depshika Handique, who was also present at the media briefing said she was the first to discover her father laying dead on his bed when she returned home on January 2, 2012 .
Explaining that she accompanied by her cousin brother (son of Champamani's elder sister) Laishram Bhudha (27) of Heirok Part-II had returned home from hostel to collect her academic documents, Depshika said they found the home deserted and in disarray.
She claimed that her personal computer and some important documents were also found missing.
Punilchandra was an Assam Rifles personnel posted in Nagaland.