Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 19 2009:
Of the two friends abducted by unidentified persons suspected to be security personnel who came in a white Maruti Gypsy from near Sajiwa Jail on May 16, one has been handed over to Lamlai police station by 23 Assam Rifles this afternoon with a report that he was a PLA cadre and that five live rounds of AK ammunition and two detonators were seized from his possession.
The report said that Gunindro was arrested by a combined team of Thoubal Police commandos and troops of 23 AR from Laikoiching early today.
The other was reported to have been killed in a reported encounter with a combined force of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 23 AR Laikoiching last night.
Although Loitongbam Satish alias Tomba (34) of Singjamei Oinam Thingel and Pebam Gunindro (45) of Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai were abducted together by the unidentified persons, Tomba was killed in a reported encounter last night while Gunindro was handed over to police by AR as a PLA under mysterious circumstances.
On the other hand, decrying the killing of Tomba alias Satish, infuriated local people NH 39 at Singjamei area today.
Moreover, a joint action committee has been constituted by the local clubs located between Singjamei Oinam Thingel and Singjamei Waikhom Leikai against the killing.
The JAC has promptly submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister today demanding befitting punishment to all the security personnel involved in the killing of Satish within 24 hours.
Even as members of the JAC accompanied by MLA I Hemochandra met Chief Minister O Ibobi in his office chamber today, the two sides could not arrive at any understanding.
As such, the JAC has resolved not to claim the corpse of Satish, said JAC convenor Oinam Nandakishore.
Other demands that figured in the JAC's memorandum included a clear explanation on the killing of Satish while Gunindro, abducted together with Satish, has been handed over to police by 23 AR, legal assistance to the bereaved family of Satish and putting an immediate halt to the practice of killing innocent civilians and making false allegations posthumously.
Until and unless these d demands are fulfilled, the corpse of Satish will not be claimed, the JAC resolved while also demanding unconditional release of Gunindro.
The JAC has also decided to file a case at Court in connection with the killing of Satish alias Tomba.
Denouncing the killing of Satish, a large number of people came out and blocked NH 39 using timber, bamboo and other objects.
Local Meira Paibi activists of Singjamei area also squatted on the highway blocking traffic.
Festoons and placards which read as "Stop State sponsored terrorism", "Will the Chief Minister bring development by increasing number of widows", "Don't kill innocent people for promotion", "What is the fault of Satish" "Punish security personnel involved in killing civilians" etc were put at the protest sites.
With the traffic blocked, commuters along the highway were thrown into severe inconveniences.
Later, top police officers managed to persuade the agitators to open the road.
However, only side of the highway was open to traffic, as womenfolk continued their protest demonstration on the other side.
On the other hand, local Meira Paibis of Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai staged a sit-in-protest demanding safe release of Pebam Gunindro at the ground of Young Friends Union today.
The protesters used placards which read as "Don't assault people in captivity" "Don't kill innocent civilians" etc.