Ex-armyman BJP leader shot dead, two held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, January 24 2023: Convenor of BJP Manipur Pradesh Ex-servicemen Cell, Laishram Rameshwar (55) son of L Nimai of Thoubal Kshetrileikai Makha Leikai was shot dead near his house on Tuesday around 11 am.

He suffered a bullet wound on his chest and reportedly died on the spot.

On hearing about the incident, chief minister N Biren Singh, who also holds the home portfolio, rushed to the hospital and took stock of the situation.

The body of Rameshwar was later taken to the government-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Imphal for post-mortem.

In swift response to the crime, Thoubal district police managed to arrest a co-ac-cused of the crime and seized a numberless white coloured Mahindra XUV 300 car used in committing the crime.

The arrested co-accused has been identified as Naorem Ricky Ponting alias Amu (24) of Keinou Thongthak Maning Leikai, Bishnupur district, who presently lives in Hao-bam Marak Irom Leikai.

He was driving the SUV at the time of the crime.

Meanwhile, the prime accused Ayekpam Keshorjit surrendered before police and he was formally arrested from Imphal West commando complex before Imphal West CDO OC inspector P Achou ba in the evening.

Police also seized one 0.32 license gun along with two magazines and nine rounds, and one Samsung A70 smartphone from his possession.

Earlier, while addressing a press conference at his office here on Tuesday, SP Thoubal Jogeshchandra Haobijam said that police responded swiftly after getting information of the crime and was able to arrest the co-accused and seize the vehicle used in the crime.

According to the statement of the co-accused, the crime was committed by Ayekpam Keshorjit (44) son of late Kunjo of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai, Imphal West under Singjamei police station, he said and further informed that police recovered an empty case of a 0.32 bullet from the crime scene.

On the other hand, large number of local residents of Thoubal Kshetrileikai organised a sit-in protest at the gate of the victim on Tuesday while condemning the crime and demanded appropriate action be taken up against the killers.

According to police sources, the incident took place between 10:20 and 11:30 am when unknown armed assailants entered Rameshwor's house in Thoubal Kshetri Leikai and attacked him.

Rameshwor was rushed to Raj Medicity Hospital in Imphal with gunshot wounds to his chest and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1 pm on Tuesday.

Rameshwor had retired from the Indian Army and was a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) .

As per eyewitnesses, the unknown persons who shot at Rameshwor came in a white XUV without a number plate and escaped from the site.

Strongly condemning the act, a statement issued by BJP Manipur said: "Anguished to read about the murder of L Rameshwor Singh, State Convenor of Ex-Servicemen Cell.

We strongly condemn the inhumane act.

The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice & punished accordingly.

We have lost a dedicated karyakarta" .

(With inputs from news agencies) .

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