Imphal, October 20: Armed security escorts of the Officer-in-charge of Patsoi police station (on probation) shot dead a 40 year old man in broad daylight over a traffic argument today at about 10.30 am at Sagolband Khongnang Hogaibi.

Outraged with the day light murder of the unarmed civilian, the People's Action Committee Against the Brutal Killing of RK Sanajaoba has called a general strike from midnight of today till midnight of tomorrow to protest the killing and high handedness of the police.

The deceased is identified as RK Sanajaoba alias Jao (40) son of RK Nabachandra of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda.

Jao was the nephew of late former Chief Minister RK Jaichandra.

Eye witnesses� reports said that matters came to a head when a police Constable on escort duty of the OC, Joyce Lalrimmiwi, landed a blow on the back of Jao with a lathi while he was driving his Honda Activa for not giving the right of way to the police.

This happened while both the police, in a Gypsy, and the victim were heading towards Sagolband from the direction of Wahengbam Leikai.

At that moment, traffic was very heavy at Sagolband area as it was office hour.

Soon later, Jao overtook the police Gypsy stopped in front of a timber shop at Sagolband Khongnang Hogaibi and signaled the police vehicle to stop.

Two policemen then jumped down from the Gypsy and started raining blows on Jao for daring to stop the vehicle of the OC.

The unarmed civilian also retaliated and a fight ensued, said the people who witnessed the scene.

Another police Constable also stepped down from the vehicle and armed with a lathi started beating up Jao.

However the lone civilian managed to snatch the lathi and started thrashing the cops, said the local people who added that at this point the driver of the Gypsy came out and whipping out his gun fired at the leg of Jao.

However the shot went wild and the driver fired twice again hitting Jao on the side of his stomach and chest.

The driver who fired the fatal shots and the other escort party however had a different tale to tell.

Giving his testimony before the Imphal West SP today, the driver, Ningombam Ibomcha, said that their vehicle was stopped by the civilian, who came on a Honda Activa.

As soon as the police Gypsy stopped, the man started walking towards the OC, said the driver.

On seeing the man walking towards the OC, one of the policemen, Dwijamani jumped down from the back side of the Gypsy and told the man, "If you have anything to say, come and talk to us before".

At this the man turned on Dwijamani and started raining blows on him, said the driver.

Then two more policemen got down and tried to stop the man, said the driver but the man did not stop and instead snatched the lathi from the police and started thrashing them.

To control the situation, the driver said, "I got down from the vehicle and fired two rounds on the ground to warn the man".

However as the man tried to attack the driver, he was shot, said the escort party to the SP.

Family members have refused to take back the body demanding action against the police men involved in the killing of Jao.

The body is presently kept at RIMS morgue.

As news of the killing of Sanajaoba spread, enraged local people came out and blocked the road from Sagolband Tera bazar to Wahengbam Leikai.

Except for pedestrians, no vehicles were allowed to move on the route.

A meeting called by the PAC was held at Wahengbam Leikai Lairembi where the decision to impose the 24 hour general strike was taken.

The Committee has demanded stern action against the guilty policemen immediately.

Sagolband kendra MLA S Natum has also strongly condemned the killing of Sanajaoba and demanded immediate action against the guilty policemen.

"What is the meaning of lifting the AFSPA from the Imphal Municipal areas when policemen can kill an unarmed civilian in broad daylight," he countered.

Uncle of the deceased, RK Somorendro said that a complaint has been filed with the OC of Imphal police.

The police have registered an FIR U/S 392/307/511 of the IPC.

The complaint accused the police of shooting Sanajaoba to death at point blank range.

According to family members, the victim had gone out to procure petrol on his Hero Activa from a pump at Kakwa today at about 8 am.

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