Andro pre-poll violence of Feb 18 12 accused released on bail
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 22 2022:
The Judicial Magistrate First Class Imphal East has ordered the release of 12 persons held in connection with the recent confrontation and violence between supporters of NPP and BJP candidates on February 18 night at Yairipok Tulihal Awang Leikai under Andro Assembly Constituency on PR bond of Rs 30,000 each.
It may be noted that a team of Andro police and Imphal East commando personnel arrested Heikham Kiran of Yairipok Top, Md Salimuddin of Changambadi Makha Leikai, Sanasam Brojen of Yairipok Yambem Shantipur, Khaidem Hemba of Yairipok Top Makha Leikai, Ningthoujam Samananda of Yairipok Top Makha Leikai, Hijam Uttam of Yairipok Yambem, Lourembam Jotin of Yambem Mathak Leikai, Moirangthem Anand of Yairipok Yambem Makha Leikai, Sanabam Ingocha of Yambem Makha Leikai, Khumanthem Robert of Yairipok Yambem Makha Leikai, Sharungbam Tondon of Yambem Makha Leikai and Chingakham Ranjan of Andro Khunou Torongthel in connection with the pre-poll violence the following day.
Producing the 12 accused persons before the Court after the completion of three-day police custody today, the IO of the case prayed the Court to send the accused to judicial custody till March 8 for further investigation.
The defence counsel on the other hand filed a remand objection along with the prayer for releasing them on bail.
The IO submitted the Court that, during police custody interrogation, seven supporters of NPP candidate Heikham Kiran, Md Salimuddin, Sanasam Brojen, Ningthoujam Samananda, Hijam Uttam, Lourembam Jotin and Chingakham Ranjan and five supporters of BJP candidate had disclosed that they were prepared to handle any situation in favour of their respective candidate.
Submitting that the investigation is in early stage and that there is most likelihood that accused persons and the other associates who are still absconding may create public nuisance, the IO prayed to the Court for remanding them to judicial custody.
The Court on perusal of the case record and after hearing the submission of the IO and defence counsels, ordered to release all the accused persons on their execution of PR bond of Rs 30 thousand each and surety of the same amount.