Six hurt in Thoubal clan clash
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 02 2011: At least six persons sustained injuries while five houses and a grocery shop were reduced to ashes following a clash between two clans with a history of past rivalries at Sangaiyumpham Cherapur in Thoubal district today.

With tension running high after the clash, prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC has been clamped in the area and stringent security measures put in place to prevent any unwanted incidents further.

The clash between the two clans erupted at around 7.30 am today.

According to information culled from the site of the incident, the religious rites and rituals related to the death of an elderly member of one clan was being performed when members of another clan started pelting stones.

Instantly, both sides engaged in a frenzy exchange of stone pelting, catapulting and opening fire from their respective license guns.

In the ensuing melee, 24-year old Md Shahrukh Khan of Sangaiyumpham Cherapur Mathak Leikai was hit a bullet on his chest while Mohammad Khan (25), of the same locality on his left leg.

The charred remains after the clash between two clans

Four other persons, namely Makakmayum Siraj Ahmad (45), Tamijur Rahaman (42), Riyaz Khan (15) and Wahidur Rahaman (35) also reportedly sustained injuries in the clash.

All of them are from the same locality.

All the injured were admitted to Thoubal District Hospital for treatment.

However, Shahrukh Khan was later brought to RIMS from where he has been referred to Shija Hospital, as his condition is stated to be serious.

With the two rival clans showing no sign of relenting, one group set on fire four houses and a grocery shop at Sangaiyumpham Cherapur Mathak Leikai while the other responded with similar act of arson on another grocery shop attached to a house at Sangaiyumpham Cherapur Part-II, apart from ransacking the properties of two houses beyond redemption and burning of a truck stationed in the compound.

On hearing the news, firefighters from Thoubal Fire Sub-station soon rushed in.

But as they alone could not bring the fire under control, additional fire tenders and firefighters from Imphal and Kakching called in to put off the fire.

After the incident, MLA of Khangabok Assembly Constituency Okram Ongbi Landhoni arrived and assessed the damages caused.

A large number of State police team including DIG Kh Chandramani and SP of Thoubal K Jayanta also rushed in at the site for inspection and assessment of the situation.

To prevent recurrence of clash between the two clan members, District Magistrate of Thoubal has clamped an order under section 144 CrPC prohibiting assembly of more than five people and carrying weapons in any part of Sangaiyumpham Cherapur area.

Along with this, troopers of 86 CRPF and 116 BSF have been deployed in the area where they also assisted in the State police in searching the houses for seizure of license guns.

However, so far, there has been no report of any arrest made or weapons seized in connection with the clash.