World Cup celebration firing kills woman, one held
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 19 2022:
In a shocking incident, a woman, who was watching the final match of FIFA World Cup on television with her family in her home, was killed by a stray bullet on Sunday.
Police have arrested a suspect along with a firearm, while a JAC has been formed in connection with the death and various resolutions adopted.
The deceased woman has been identified as Laishram Ibetombi (50) wife of L Biramani of Singjamei Wangma Bheigyabati Leikai Kongba Road.
The arrested suspect has been identified as Khangembam Devakanta Singh (47) s/o Kh Nabakanta Singh of Singjamei Kongba Road Akampat.
A .32 pistol has been seized from his possession.
According to reports culled from the spot, Ibetombi was watching World Cup Final match between Argentina and France on Sunday night along with her whole family.
After Argentina won the match, firecrackers were set off in celebration in the locality.
Amidst the celebration, a bullet fired by unknown person passed through the tin-sheet wall of the house, and hit Ibetombi, who was sitting on the bed, killing her instantly.
Initially, the family did not realise that she was shot and assumed she had fainted.
They rushed her to Advanced Hospital, Palace Compound wherein the doctors declared her brought dead.
Later, the family spotted a hole on the tin-sheet wall near where Ibetombi was seated and further discovered another bullet at a higher place to it.
As suspicions arose, they took her to JNIMS hospital, where the doctors confirmed she died due to bullet wounds.
A gunshot wound was also found on her back.
Ibetombi's husband Biramani then filed a complaint at Porompat police station in connection with the death.
Porompat police has registered a case and conducted investigation.
A forensic expert team also arrived at the scene and conducted preliminary investigations.
While the body is being kept at JNIMS mortuary, the family members are yet to claim the same.
Meanwhile, a police report informed that Devakanta Singh was arrested on suspicion at around 11 am Monday.
Police have recovered one .32 pistol.
He was produced before the Duty Magistrate of Imphal East District, which remanded him to police custody for 5 days for further interrogation.
On the other hand, a public meeting in connection with the death was convened at ASA Club, Kongba Road on Monday, wherein a JAC was formed and various resolutions adopted.
The resolutions included submission of memorandum to the government for investigating the death; not claiming the body until the truth is revealed and the culprit(s) arrested; extending full cooperation to the investigation; and that the government should award the strictest of punishments to those found guilty of killing Ibetombi.
Later, the gathering staged a sit-in protest in front of the Club, demanding justice to be served in the case.