Murder case of van driver: JAC submits memorandum
Mom-in-law of accused tells a different tale
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 10 2023:
A new angle to the story of the driver who was found dead recently in Nagaland has surfaced.
Yanglem Priyobarta, the driver, was stabbed after he allegedly assaulted Sandhyarani, claimed her mother today.
On the other hand, the "JAC Against the Killing of Y Priyobarta" has submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur today, reports our Bishnupur correspondent.
It may be noted that Yanglem Priyobarta was found dead on January 7 at Phesama village in Nagaland after he went missing on December 30 last.
In the murder case, police had first arrested Heisnam James and his wife Sandhyarani later after she surrendered to Senapati women police yesterday.
A Court had remanded both to police custody till January 16 .
Heisnam James hails from Lamboikhongnangkhong, while Priyobarta was a resident of Nachou Awang Leikai Ward No 2.Meanwhile, at Manipur Press Club today, Khoirom Kunjarashi, mother of Heisnam ongbi Sandhyarani, said deceased Yanglem Priyobarta and Heisnam James were engaged in the same profession and both run Imphal-Moreh van service.
Priyobarta had even borrowed Rs 1 lakh from James, she claimed.
Mentioning a report filed with the Senapati women police when Sandhyarani surrendered yesterday, Kunjarashi claimed the two, Priyobarta and James had planned to go to Dimapur together on December 30 night.
Heisnam James had also asked his wife Sandhyarani to tag along and as such, she was told that they would pick her up from Mantripukhri, where she was staying.
Sandhyarani and her 3-month-old infant boy were picked up by the two from Mantripukhri at around 8 pm (December 30) .
The four, Heisnam James, Sandhyarani, her infant son and Yanglem Priyobarta then headed for Dimapur.
On their way, James and Priyobarta bought and drank alcohol at Sekmai despite Sandhyarani's protest, claimed Kunjarashi.
While driving the vehicle, Priyobarta allegedly asked if James was asleep.
When Sandhyarani told him James had fallen asleep, Priyobarta stopped the vehicle and allegedly started to pull Sandhyarani's scarf.
She was at the time, breast-feeding her infant son, claimed Kunjarashi.
As Priyobarta allegedly started touching her, she raised an alarm.
James, who was asleep, woke up and asked what was happening.
Amid this, Priyobarta allegedly took out a knife and threatened her to remain silent.
Sandhyarani then pushed Priyobarta's hand away and the knife fell on the floor of the van.
James then picked up the knife and allegedly stabbed Priyobarta from behind.
Priyobarta then ran out of the vehicle.
James chased him and the two then fought, Kunjarashi claimed adding the incident is believed to have happened in an area under Senapati district.
On the other hand, the "JAC Against the Killing of Y Priyobarta" has submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur today.
The memorandum contains four demands including capital punishment of the culprit involved, a Government job to a child of the deceased and Rs 30 lakh as ex-gratia.
The JAC also informed that it has decided to suspend a proposed bandh along Tiddim road.
Appealing to the Government to meet its demands at the earliest, the JAC said it would launch stringent agitations if it is not heard and positive steps are not taken soon.
A crowd of people and members of the JAC, who came to submit the memorandum were prevented from storming the DC office complex.
Later, police allowed three members of the JAC to submit the memorandum.