Two women hurt in police action
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, November 14 2013: At least two women were hurt when a large number of protesters from Thangmeiband clashed with police over the killing of Wahengbam Ton near Ragailong Commando Complex here on Thursday.

An uneasy atmosphere prevailed in Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai in Imphal West district on Thursday after Ton, a 23-year-old man, who had gone to meet his girlfriend, was reportedly lynched by a mob at Ragailong village last night.

On Thursday, a large number of locals from Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai took out in the street around 10 am and tried to get to the spot where the victim was reportedly killed by a group of attackers.

But the police blocked the rally at Khoyathong and used loudspeaker to warn the protestors from going ahead.

The police also used tear gas canisters to drive away the protesters which resulted in a melee.

The police action prompted the protesters to throw stones at the police and they also used catapults in the clash, injuring two women in the process.

protesters from Thangmeiband clashed with police over the killing of Wahengbam Ton

The injured women protesters were identified as Wahengbam Ongbi Guneshwori, 30, and Karam Ongbi Loidang, 48, both from Thangmeiband.

The protesters said they wanted to verify the nature of the death at the site.

Later, condemning the police action, the protesters blocked the Thangmeiband road stretch from Khoyathong to Lilasing Khongnangkhong burning tyres for hours.

Wahengbam Ton was reportedly beaten to death at Ragailong yesterday.

Reports from his locality said the victim went to the village to meet his girlfriend who had called him out from home.

A joint action committee (JAC) with regard to the death of Ton was formed after a huge public meeting at Ibudhou Naothingkhong Shanglen, Thangmeiband today.

The meeting resolved to pick up the pace of agitation against the killing.

One of the JAC members said that Ton along with his neighbouring friend named Angom Krishnadas went to Ragailong village on a scooter to meet the victim's girlfriend.

When they reached the village, the duo parked their vehicle on a roadside of the village waiting for her and soon after that a group of local youths attacked them with clubs, the JAC member said quoting Krishnadas.

He said the duo tried to escape when the attackers continued with their blows.

Ton died at the spot while Krishnadas, who got injured in the attack, managed to flee from the scene with the help of some bystanders, he said.

According to sources, police have arrested five people, including a young woman involved in the killing of Ton.