Unprovoked firing near Pallel JAC agrees to claim victim's body
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal/Imphal, May 07 2015 :
The JAC constituted against the killing of M Gopal (43) s/o late Gourachandra during Lai Lamthokpa ritual of Ibudhou Sekmai Ningthou-Nongpok Ningthou at Pallel in the evening of May 5 held a second round of meeting with the Chief Minister today and it has decided to claim the body of Gopal after completion of post mortem tomorrow.
Meanwhile the JAC has questioned the authenticity of the claim that the alleged accused has been pulled up by a police team led by DIG Range II Dr S Ibocha himself.
They pointed out that the PSO of Tengnoupal MLA D K Korungthang was also seen in the photograph of the accused in some local newspapers published today.
On the other hand, according to information received by The Sangai Express, the accused surrendered at the residential quarters of Tengnoupal MLA DK Kourungthang yesterday evening before the accused was handed over to the OC of Tengnoupal police station yesterday itself at the MLA's quarters.
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The accused has been identified as one Augustine Aimol (21) of Aimol Satu village and he has been given 7 days police remand.
The body of Gopal would be taken to UKAL office where people would pay floral tributes before the mortal remains are taken back to his native village Pallel with a mass procession for funeral.
Eight representatives of the JAC and family members of the deceased as well as wounded victims were present at the meeting.
Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that the State Government has the authority to pay ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh but it is essential to obtain Cabinet approval if the ex-gratia amount should be increased to Rs 10 lakh.
The Government would try to fulfil the JAC's demands by holding a Cabinet meeting on or before May 15.But if the Cabinet meeting could not be held because of the ADC election's code of conduct, the same meeting would be held as soon as possible after June 1 .
The State Government would explore all means to fulfil the JAC's demands for payment of Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the family of the deceased, appointment of the next of kin of the deceased against a suitable Government post and payment of Rs one lakh each to whose who sustained grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 each to those who sustained minor injuries, conveyed one spokesman of the JAC quoting the Chief Minister.
Regarding the JAC's demand of Rs 15 lakh as compensation for disrupting the Lai Haraoba festival, the amount was scaled down and it was agreed that the offender(s) will be made to do what is within their capacity.
MLA DK Korungthang and DIG (Range-II) Dr S Ibocha were also present at the meeting.
On their part, the JAC urged the Government to book all those involved in the indiscriminate, unprovoked firing apart from the one pulled up yesterday.
Gopal's body would be claimed tomorrow and the general strike already announced would remain in force until the cremation is totally over, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, taking strong exception to the unprovoked firing, womenfolk staged a protest demonstration at Pallel-Chandel Lamkhai today.