'9 mm pistol may have killed Kunjabihari'
Irate locals storm BSEM office
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 12 2011: Forensic experts hinted that a 9mm bullet may have killed BSEM chairman, N Kunjabihari as a spot investigation was conducted by experts today .

Meanwhile, a number of Kakwa residents stormed the BSEM office complex at Bapupara and confronted the staff of the board who were staging sit-in-protest against the killing of its chairman.

Official sources said that investigation into the murder started from today by removing the padlock which police had put on after the killing yesterday.

The team was led by deputy director of state Forensic Science, the police including the Investigation Officer, Imphal West Additional SP, H Herojit.

During the investigation which started around 10.30 am today, an empty case and a projectile of a 9 mm ammunition was recovered from inside the office chamber of the chairman.

The materials were seized for further examination to identify the kind of gun used by the assailant, the source said.

Meanwhile, BSEM secretary, L Rajmohon today lodged a formal complaint with the Imphal Police Station with regard to the murder of the board's chairman.

Police also registered an FIR case under section 302 and a search for culprits has been launched.

Kakwa residents arriving in number to disrupt sit-in-protest at Board office

As part of the investigation, police called up secretary Rajmohon, deputy secretary RK Sanajaoba and Mangi.

They informed the police that they did not hear any gun shots in the board office yesterday.

The same reply was given by the other staff of the board, the source added.

The police is also investigating into the phone number provided by MLA O Joy to Hueiyen Lanpao.

Statements of those who vied for the post of chairman before Kunjabihari was appointed will also be taken, the source said.

The lifeless body of Kunjabihari is still lying at RIMS morgue as family with support of the locals refused to accept the body demanding booking of the culprits.

They also blocked the Imphal-Moreh section of NH 39 at Kakwa from 7 am till 11.30 am to register protest against the killing.

Irate residents who came up to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister stormed the office at about 2 pm and dispersed the sit-in protest staged by the staff alleging that the murder was the result of a collusion involving some staff members of the board.

Residents also lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister by submitting a memorandum demanding arrest of the culprit(s) involved in the killing of the chairman.

The JAC in its memorandum warned that if their demands were not met by January 14, they will launch various forms of agitations.

Condemnations of the killing are pouring from various civil, student and other organisations.

The All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) while condemning the killing, said that they took the act seriously.

They wondered how was the chairman shot dead in his office located in a highly secured place where not only Imphal West District Police HQ, state Police HQ, the Chief Minister's bungalow and quarters of many VIPs and MLAs are also located.

Other student bodies that condemned the killing includes Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students' Union and All India Students' Federation, Manipur State Council.

All Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturers' Welfare Association, Keishamthong Kendra Educational Trust, Imphal, Directorate of University and Higher Education, Employees of BSEM, Human Rsource Development Centre, Mayang Imphal, Joint Committee for Upgradation of Sanamahi Religion in the Census of India 2011, Manipur College Teachers' Association, All Manipur Recognised Private Schools' Welfare Association, Imphal, etc.

also condemned the killing.