Tragedy writ large on WC celebration for one family, 'Stray' bullet kills 50 year old woman
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19 2022:
The FIFA World Cup celebration last night turned to grief for a family and locality when a suspected stray bullet killed a 50-year-old woman who was watching the final match between Argentina and France on Television at home.
The woman, identified as Salam Ningol Laishram Ongbi Ibetombi Devi, was watching the final match with family and neighbours on the TV inside a room on the first floor of her house.
Ibetombi was wife of Laishram Birmani of Singjamei Wangma Bheigyabati Leikai, Imphal East.
Sources said Porompat police have arrested a suspect identified as Khangembam Devakanta alias Bobby (49) of Singjamei Wangma Kongba Road.
His house is not far from the victim's house and the police have also recovered a gun from his possession.
According to family members, Ibetombi was watching the final match of the FIFA World Cup between Argentina and France with family and neighbours on television.
Minutes after the match's tie breaker between Argentina and France ended, they heard sounds of people bursting firecrackers and suspected celebratory gun fires.
Amid this, they noticed Ibetombi suddenly collapsing.
As they didn't notice blood, it never occurred to them that she was hit by a bullet.
Without any knowledge that she had been hit by a bullet, they evacuated her to Advanced Hospital for examination.
At the hospital, the doctors declared her brought dead.
However, when family members noticed two bullet holes on the tin wall of the room where they were watching TV, they brought her at JNIMS.
After examination, it was known that Ibetombi was hit by a bullet on her back.
Doctors confirmed that the bullet had damaged her heart and lungs, said the family members.
Forensic experts and Porompat police have also conducted investigation at the site of the incident.
Meanwhile, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) has been formed regarding the incident and locals staged a sit-in protest in front of ASA Club Kongba Road today.
At the si-in, the protestors demanded police to solve the case at the earliest and award befitting punishment for the crime.
Promising full cooperation in the investigation, the JAC members and the locals demanded video coverage of the autopsy in the presence of a JAC member.
They also appealed to the Government for stricter rules in giving gun licenses.
Proper background of persons seeking gun license should be carried out, they said.