RTI activist arrested in BJP leader murder case
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 29 2023:
Thoubal district police arrested Right to Information (RTI) activist Wahengbam Joykumar (53) in connection with the murder case of BJP Manipur Pradesh Ex-Servicemen Cell convenor Laishram Rameshwar.
Police source said that Joykumar was rounded up from his from his Wangkhei Hijam Leikai residence in Imphal East district on Saturday night and has been remanded in police custody till February 2 after he was produced before the CJM Thoubal court.
Mention may be made here that RTI activist Ayekpam Keshorjit surrendered to the police after killing the BJP leader.
He and his driver are also in the police custody.
On the other hand, Keshorjit's wife Ayekpam ongbi Laishram Ningol Romila, in a complaint letter addressed to the DGP, cited the shooting as an act of self-defence and alleged involvement of former PMKSY nodal officer Ak Bowjit while demanding a thorough investigation.
According to a police source, the RTI activist has been arrested as part of the investigation into the murder of Laishram Rameshwar, who was shot dead by Keshorjit (46) on January 24 morning at Kshetri Leikai in Thoubal district.
W Joykumar was picked up in relation to his Facebook posts regarding the killing, the police said.
A Kishorjit, the prime accused of the case, surrendered to the police along with the weapon, on the same day of the incident.
His driver/accomplice Ricky Pointing (24) was also arrested on the same day.
After producing before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoubal on January 25, they were remanded in judicial custody till February 6 .
In the complaint lodged with DGP, Romila claimed that her husband Keshorjit had a verbal spat with L Rameshwar during his visit to Thoubal to inquire about the selection of PMKSY beneficiaries.
While contending that Rameshwar was hired by a former Nodal Officer of PMKSY, Romila said as the verbal duel escalated Rameshwar pulled out his firearm and threatened to shoot at Ke shorjit and that the latter opened fire in self-defence.