Vehicle torched in Bpr, CrPC imposed
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 06 2022:
Unknown miscreants burned down an ECCO Van at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district.
The owner of the Van, Letkholal Haokip (37), son of Lhunkhokam Haokip of Tonglhang village under Kangvai Sub-Division in Churachandpur district, said that he was returning from Churachandpur town when four persons speaking in Meitei dialect stopped him on his way, and without rhyme or reason they pulled him out from the vehicle and started abusing him.
They asked if he was one of the bandh (ATSUM) volunteers, to which he responded that he was a mere driver who survived on meagre income generated through driving his passenger vehicle.
Letkholal continued, "After which they started abusing me and snatched away my mobile phone and my wallet.
They asked me to produce my ID and I showed my Aadhaar card, after seeing the word 'Haokip' in my Aadhaar, they asked me what 'Haokip' means.
I replied them saying 'Haokip' is just a clan name".
"After hurling communal abuse against me, they opened the fuel tank of my vehicle and set it on fire which completely burned my vehicle including all the important related documents," he said adding that the four persons after burning down his vehicle drove away towards Imphal side.
The burned vehicle was picked up by Moirang police station and an FIR has been lodged by the victim at the Churachandpur police station.
The incident occurred in the face of a meeting convened by Chingmee-Tammee Peace Committee on Saturday at Phouchakhai community hall with Kumbi AC MLA Sanasam Premchandra Singh in attendance.
It may be mentioned that the Chingmee-Tammee Peace Committee comprises tribals and Meteis settling in Torbung area of Churachandpur and Phougakchao area of Bishnupur district.
On the other hand, some miscreants set ablaze one Swift Car in Churachandpur around 5-6 pm.
Meanwhile, Bishnupur district magistrate Lourembam Bikram has declared imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC in the whole of Bishnupur district for two months with effect from 6 am Saturday, prohibiting assembly of five or more people, which is likely to turn unlawful and carrying of sticks, stones, firearms without a valid license, weapons or objects of any description, which can be used as offensive weapons.
In an order issued Saturday, Bikram stated that the decision was taken based on report of SP Bishnupur mentioning likelihood of breach of peace, law and order in the district on account of unlawful activities of some anti-social elements.
People desirous of taking out rallies or processions for socio-political, customary, religious objectives or for entertainment, involving the assembly of five or more people within the scheduled area should apply to the DM Bishnupur for permission, it further directed.