Irate Keirao people storm Irilbung P/S
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05 2015:
Infuriated by the failure of the State police to pull up any suspect in connection with the killing of Headmaster Md Hasmat Ali alias Babu of Keirao Makting Awang Leikai, a large number of people today stormed Irilbung police station.
Demanding justice for the lynching, a large number of people came out and blocked Imphal-Yairipok road at
Keirao Makting since morning.
No vehicular movement was allowed on the road.
Even students were not spared.
In the afternoon, the mob stormed Irilbung police station on the ground that no suspects have been pulled up even after four days of the killing.
They tore down one sign-board, vandalized a sentry post and a number of solar lamps.
Police personnel came out in large numbers and tried to bring the situation under control but they were attacked by the mob who pelted stones.
This led to a tense standoff between the two sides.
Later, police fired several rounds of tear gas shells and live bullets in th air and ultimately succeeded in driving away the protesters.
It is reported that around five protesters were injured in police action.
As police personnel stationed at the police station had a hard time in controlling the situation, additional police personnel were called.
After the situation was somehow brought under control, representatives of the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Md Hasmat Ali and the OC of Irilbung P/S held a meeting.
The tense situation subsided a bit after the OC assured that all suspects would be pulled up soon.
Nonetheless, the people carried on their protest demonstration in front of the police station.
In the mean time, a team of Irilbung police went out purportedly with the purpose of pulling up murder suspects.
Again at around 1.30 pm, the mob attacked the police station by pelting stones and firing slingshots on the charge that the police team who went out to pull up murder suspects came back empty handed.
One police commando was hit by a stone and he sustained injuries on the head.
JAC convenor Md Rajauddin said it was rather disappointing that police are unable to pull up even a single suspect in connection with the murder of Keirao Makting Govt Primary Madrassa Md Hasmat Ali.
The JAC would continue with different forms of agitation until justice is delivered, he added.