Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, June 25:
Tension was high among the villagers of Leishangthem Thoudam village and Khong Manung villages in Thoubal district after the suicide of a woman from the former village yesterday even as the district magistrate imposed restrictions in the area under section 144 of CrPC from 8.30 am today.
The trouble began when a 30 year-old woman, being despaired by her unrewarded love, committed suicide yesterday.
The woman, Thoudam Premabati Devi, of Leishangthem Thoudam Leikai in Thoubal district reportedly died at the RIMS hospital during the early hours today.
According to reliable sources, Premabati was having a love affair with one Ningombam Sharat Singh, 35, of Leishangthem Khongnangmanung for the last six years.
Desperate because of her lover�s refusal to marry her, she came to her boyfriend�s home yesterday morning and asked him to accept her as his wife.
Her boyfriend refused to do so, and a brief quarrel followed between the two, the source said.
When the matter was taken to the local pradhan yesterday noon, it came to light from their statement that they had been having intimate physical relationship for the past many years.
Meanwhile, the woman, who had already consumed pesticide at the residence of the pradhan before their statements were taken, suddenly collapsed there giving her lover a last hug.
She was immediately rushed to the Thoubal community health centre, and was later referred to RIMS hospital yesterday evening and died during the early hours today.
As the report of her death reached Leishangthem Thoudam village, local people including meira paibis and club volunteers along with family of the deceased made an early morning swoop on the residence of Sharat and the pradhan, who was charged of taking a biased decision.
Sharat reportedly absconded last night.
However, his house was set on fire and was completely dismantled by the angry mob.
A riot was poised to break out between the residents of Thoudam village and Khongnangmanung village was however prevented by the timely intervention of Thoubal police who had to fire several blank shots to disperse the angry mob.
The last rite was performed this afternoon at Thoudam village.