Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 18 2009::
The JAC against the killing of Akoijam Priyobarta (25) s/o Akoijam Rajen of Mongsangei Boroi Makhong has submitted a memorandum to the Government highlighting various demands.
Setting March 20 as the deadline to fulfil these demands, the JAC has also warned of calling a 48-hour State-wide general strike with effect from 1 am of March 21 in case the Govt fails to give a positive response.
Police claim that Priyobarta was killed during an encounter with the police commandos at Langol on March 15 at around 7.30 pm.
Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, JAC convenor Thoudam Sarat said Priyobarta was an innocent family man and the claim of the police that he was killed by the police commandos during an encounter is baseless and unacceptable.
Refuting the police claim, the family members have also not taken the body and it is still lying in the mortuary of RIMS Hospital.
According to family members, Priyobarta, a father of 6-month old boy, was operating a computer centre to supplement the income of the family.
At around 4 pm of March 15, he had gone out from home driving a Bajaj Pulser (MN1M-5073) and carrying Rs 8000 in cash.
However, when his body was found, the cash amount was missing.
Among the demands raised by the JAC and highlighted in the memorandum submitted to the Government include instituting a judicial inquiry into the killing, payment of Rs 5 lakhs as ex-gratia and a suitable job offer to one of the bereaved family members.
The copy of the memorandum containing these demands had been submitted to the Chief Minister in th evening yesterday.
The JAC has also demanded all concerned to come uot with an explanation within two days in connection with the contradictory reports of the Lamphel Police that stated Priyobarta was a KCP cadre while the newspaper report quoted that he was a KYKL cadre.