Remand for JAC co-convener, member
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2019: Leishangthem Pratap, co-convener of the JAC formed in connection with the death of Babysana and Elangbam Joykumar, executive member of Thangmeiband United Club, were remanded to judicial custody by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, today.

Both of them were arrested last night by a team of Imphal West district police soon after the foiled attempt to organise a meira rally in Thangmeiband demanding justice for Babysana.

During the hearing today, the IO of the case (through the APP) submitted that yesterday, a press note issued by the JAC (signed by the convener) was received which called for a 12 hour bandh from 6 am till 6 pm today followed by an all Manipur bandh from 5 am tomorrow till midnight.

The IO continued that yesterday, the JAC organized a meira rally with the intention to incite the general public and disturb the peace and harmony of the area by burning tyres on the road, blocking the road.

Moreover the same JAC had already called several bandhs and strikes earlier which effected the normal life of the public even though there are strict rulings of the Supreme Court in the case of bandhs, the IO submitted.

During interrogation, the arrested individuals admitted to the charges levelled against them and further disclosed that they organized a sit in protest at Thangmeiband, opposite DM College western gate during which the Thangmeiband road from Khoyathong to Lilasingkhongnang Khong was blocked by the JAC members and other supporters.

The protest was organised demanding justice for N Babysana and an effigy of Principal Landhoni was torched by the agitators at Thangmeiband road.

Since then, different forms of agitation have continued in co-ordination with other CSOs and during the said agitation, many unwanted incidents happened, the IO claimed.

The IO further explained that the agitators sometime take the law into their own hand and even targeted the police force deployed to maintain law and order.

In many cases, the agitators obstruct the Government machineries and more importantly educational institutions have been disturbed and the academic atmosphere of the students community has been badly affected, the IO explained narrating that at Cheirap Court complex, during the anticipatory bail hearing of Principal Ph Landhoni and coordinator Ph Romita, agitators from Thangmeiband stormed the Court and they pelted rotten eggs, rocks and water bottles toward the police personnel deployed at the Court complex.

During further interrogation, the arrested persons revealed the names of other individuals involved in such activities namely Th Chitaranjan, Ngangom Tejkumar, Heisnam Foren, Huirem Romenjit, RK Taraksana, Ema Gyaneshwori and Ema Ibechoubi.

The IO then conveyed that further efforts have been made to arrest the remaining JAC members by raiding their houses.

However the locals denied entry to the police by pelting stone and using slingshots and added that in line of the investigation, it is imperative to arrest the remaining JAC members including the convener.

After hearing the submission of the IO and going through the case records, the Court remanded the co-convenor and executive member of the JAC to judicial custody till August 22 .

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