Youth drowns, cops targeted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16 2011:
A suspected drug abuser who jumped into Kongba river to escape from VDFs has been found dead.
However, local people of the deceased alleged that the man was beaten up by VDFs before throwing him into the river.
The local people also blocked Imphal-Ukhrul road today in protest against what they said was extreme high-handedness on the part of the VDFs.
A police source informed that Md Islam Rehman (35) of Khabeisoi Mamang Leikai was frisked by VDF personnel at Chairenthong along ImphalUkhrul road at about 5 am yesterday.
Three SP capsules were recovered from the possession of Islam.
Just as the VDF personnel started beating Islam, he ran away and jumped into Kongba river.
He drowned and his body was found in the nearby area at about 10 am.
On hearing about the incident, enraged people of Khabeisoi and surrounding areas blocked Imphal-Ukhrul road since last morning.
The crowd also vandalised two police Gypsy's.Police resorted to firing tear gas shells in their attempt to drive away the agitated crowd.
This morning too, Imphal-Ukhrul road was blocked at Chairenthong besides putting trees and boulders across Pangei road at Heikrumakhong.
Bandh supporters also targeted commuters and vehicles by pelting stones.
To control the situation, Imphal East District Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells both on Pangei road and Imphal-Ukhrul road.
On the other hand, womenfolk staged a protest demonstration at Chairenthong.
They contended that Islam Rehman was an innocent rickshaw puller.
They alleged that he was thrown into the river after being beaten up.
They demanded that all the VDF personnel involved in the incident should be punished according to law.