Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 06, 2009:
Demanding unconditional release,residents of Singjamei Yumnam Leikai mostly womenfolks in their mourning attires staged a sit in demonstration against the arrest and subsequent detention of opposition Manipur People's Party's General Secretary (Finance) Yumnam Khemchand in police custody today.
Fortynine year old Khemchand,a resident of Singjamei Yumnam Leikai who is also in charge of secretary organisation (City district), was arrested by Singjamei police from his house at around on 4 September afternoon on alleged charge of firing some rounds using his licensed gun in the previous night.
Police have framed charges against him under Section 307 of IPC, (attempt to murder) read along with Section 25 (1-B) Arms Act and 20 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act.One point 32 pistol (RP-107473), three live rounds of ammunition and one gun license (1799/IW) have been recovered from his possession.
Khemchand's wife appealing to release him,said the move to arrest her husband is nothing but to tarnish the political image of her husband.
His arrest and detention also evoked condemnation from the party leaders in Manipur.
MPP leaders have demanded unconditional release of its Khemchand asserting that he had opened fire only to protect himself from some unknown persons who had threatened him at Singjamei, 3 km south of Imphal town on 3 September night.
MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang told media laste last night that Khemchand had fired his licensed gun in 'self defence' when he was threatened by some persons who surrounded him on the night of 3 September at Singjamei bazar on his way back home.
He did not attempt to shoot at any one, and none had lodged a complaint to the police for life attempt by the General Secretary, MPP leader added.
Police detained him only to divert the people's agitations demanding resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi.
If police fail to release him without any condition, the party will launch agitations for his release, he said.