Tension runs high at Kwakta, Torbung
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2009: To prevent any untoward incidents, following the lynching a man from Kwakta by the people of Torbung, on alleged charge of trying to steal a rickshaw Thela, MLAs of Kumbi and Moirang A/Cs today rushed to the area to pacify the infuriated people of both Kwakta and Torbung.

The accused, who was lynched, has been identified as Abdul Hasim (45) s/o late Nasib Ali of Farm Leirak under Kwakta Nagar Panchayat.

According to local people of Kwakta, Abdul Hasim was a simple man who earned his livelihood by supplying water to the hotels in Kwakta Bazar apart from engaging in various odd jobs available in the hotels.

In protest against the killing, infuriated public of Kwakta blocked National Highway 150 since early morning today.

Infuriated people of Kwakta enforcing the road block along Tiddim line against the killing of a man

Apart from not allowing any vehicles to pass through, the protestors armed with sticks and clubs, damaged 7 to 8 vehicles including two Gypsys and one bullet proof 407 Tata Mini truck of Bishnupur District Police Commandos.

While the road block was being enforced, a public meeting was held at Kwakta Bazar during which a JAC against the brutal killing of Abdul Hasim of Kwakta Ward no.7 was formed and various demands raised.

The demands include payment of ex-gratia, offering a suitable Government job to the bereaved family, taking up necessary action against the culprits and that public of Torbung should apologise to the people of Kwakta.

According to police, four persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of Abdul Hasim.

However, people of Torbung asserted that the four persons identified as Khaidem Ibomcha (68), his son Nungshi, Lourembam Apabi (40) and Thongam Rabi (64) have only gone along with the police after the police insisted some of the people should come for taking the injured Abdul Hasim.

A public meeting was also held at Torbung Community Hall today evening and formed a JAC demanding unconditional release of the four persons.

A member of the JAC asserted that police men who arrived on hearing news of the mob attack also joined in beating up Abdul Hasim.

At the time of taking him away in a police Gypsy, Abdul Hasim, though injured was sitting.

But after around one hour, the same police team returned back saying that condition of Abdul was serious and they would not be able to take him without the accompaniment of some responsible persons.

Taking serious note of the tension running high and to prevent any untoward incidents between the people of Kwakta and Torbung, additional security forces have been deployed even as the MLAs of Moirang and Torbung visited to meet the people of Kwakta and Torbung and defuse tension.Later in the evening, representatives of Kwakta JAC reportedly met Chief Minister O Ibobi and arrived at some sort of understanding on which basis the JAC would be taking back the body, according to information received by the press.