Alleged hijackers rounded up, thrashed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04 2014:
Three individuals who even opened fire in their alleged attempt to hijack a vehicle at Mongshangei Mayai Leikai, Imphal West district under Singjamei police station this afternoon were rounded up by local people, thrashed and handed over to police.
The hijackers have been identified as Loitongbam Ranjan s/o Raghu of Haobam Marak Chingtham leikai, Sunil Thongam s/o Kullabidhu of Heirangoithong and Maibam Ranbir s/o Raghu of Heirangoithong.
All three of them are in the age of group of 35-40 .
According to information culled from the spot, the three of them came to Mongshangei Mayai Leikai in a Hyundai Verna car (MN-04A/7978) and Hyundai Santro car (MN-04A/4304) at around 2.30 pm.
At the moment, IRB Jemadar AK Sashikumar (61) was returning home on foot together with his son after taking part in a community feast.
The trio stopped Sashikumar and Ranjan who identified himself as a former cadre of UNLF and asked Sashikumar as to why he (Sashikumar) sent police commandos to his (Ranjan) home.
Sashikumar said he had no idea about what Ranjan was talking about.
At the next moment, one of them brought out a double barrel shot gun from inside the Verna car and pointed towards Sashikumar.
They fired two rounds but they missed Sashikumar as he managed to take hold of the barrel and lifted it upward in time.
In the next moment, a large number of local people rushed in and overpowered the three assailants.
The crowd confiscated the double barrel gun and thrashed the trio.
Later they were handed over to a team of police commandos.
Even though Sashikumar maintained that he had no idea why he was targeted, a source said that the assailants were trying to intimidate him in their bid to hijack his Mahindra Scorpio jeep which he took recently on mortgage.
Of the three assailants, Ranjan was reportedly staying at the Yaingangpokpi post of 16 Assam Rifles in the capacity of being a surrendered cadre of UNLF.