Sit-in protest decries death of inmate
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 17 2023:
Decrying the suspicious death of Ningombam Sanjoy Meitei of Kongba Laishram Leikai at the Winners' Home, a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre at Wakha Nongmaiching Chingkhong in Imphal East yesterday, locals of Kongba Laishram Leikai staged a sit-in protest today.
During the protest, organized by the JAC formed in connection with the incident, the locals demanded justice and held placards which read as "book the culprits" and "deliver justice" among others.
Family of the deceased claimed that Sanjoy was taken to Winners' Home on January 15 at around 4 pm at his request for therapy to give up alcohol.
The next day at around 9 am, the centre informed them that Sanjoy had fallen ill.
However, when they went to the centre, they found Sanjoy dead.
Speaking to reporters on the sideline of the protest, JAC member Nongmeikapam Ulicess expressed shock that Sanjoy, who was taken to Winners' Home for treatment of alcoholism by his family, was found dead inside the same rehab centre in a very 'suspicious' manner the next day.
He claimed that bruise marks and blood stains were found on Sanjoy's eye, nose and face indicating he was "tortured".
He asserted that Sanjoy's health was not deteriorating and he was quite healthy at the time when the family members left him at the rehab centre.
"No one would send people with alcohol or drug dependency to rehab centres by spending huge amounts of money if they are sent back home as corpses," Ulicess said.
He demanded the State Government and authorities concerned to find out the exact cause of the death and book the culprits involved in the incident at the earliest to bring about justice.
Ningombam Ashini, another JAC member conveyed later on the day that the body of Sanjoy has been taken for cremation by the family members and the JAC after Kshetrigao AC MLA assured all possible assistance.
Earlier, the JAC had submitted a memorandum seeking justice for Sanjoy.
Meanwhile, a source informed that the Winners' Home is "not registered" with the State Social Welfare Department.