JCB Driver Killing: House of accused Babu set on fire
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 28 2013: An angry mob comprising people coming from different localities today set on fire the house of Tongbram Babu alias Shyamchand (27) s/o Tongbram Biren, one of the accused in the killing of JAC driver Maisnam Devraj.

The house was located at Langol Ningthou Leikai.

A resident of Khurai Sajor Leikai, the whereabouts of Devraj remained unknown after he had gone along with two persons who hired the JCB on the pretext of digging out a culvert for necessary repairing work in the morning of October 14 last until his body was found buried at a place near Seijang village in Tamenglong district on October 26 evening.

The house of another accused identified as Namoijam Chalamba alias Rakesh (25) s/o N Gojen of Ningombam Makha Leikai had already been dismantled yesterday by the infuriated local people, who have also resolved to banish the family from the locality.

House of accused Babu set on fire

Following the newspaper reports wherein the location of the residence of Babu was given as Langol Lai Manai, a large number of people rushed in to Langol area since early morning today.

After a joint meeting, they decided to find out the exact location of the house.

At around 11 am, the location of the house was confirmed to be at Langol Ningthou Leikai.

Subsequently, a large number of landed and started dismantling the house before it was set on fire.

After setting the house on fire, a public meeting was also held at the Community Hall of Langol Ningthou Leikai and resolved not to give shelter to any family members of the accused killer and initiate strict action against those who defied the resolution of the public meeting.

The meeting also decided to exert pressures on the authorities concerned not to set free from the police custody.

Meanwhile, although the bandh called in protest against the killing evoked mixed public response in other parts of the State, it was total in Khurai area where normal life came to a grinding halt.

Though the State-wide bandh called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Missing of Meisnam Devraj alias Tom was initially announced for 36 hours effective from 5 am today, it has been shortened to 24 hours in consideration of the upcoming Kut and Ningol Chakkouba festivals.

Accordingly, the bandh would remain effective till 5 am tomorrow, said Convenor of the JAC Y Dhananjoy Singh in a statement.

Nonetheless, the JAC has warned of intensifying its agitation if the Government fails to meet the demands placed before it at the earliest possible.

Although the bandh did not much impact in other parts of the State, it was total in Khurai area where bandh supporters enforced it strictly along with the Imphal-Ukhrul Road, Imphal-Pangei Road, Tinsid Road, etc, allowing no vehicle to pass through that area with exception to those related to marriage and religious functions.

However, there is no report of any untoward incident during the bandh as the State administration had put in place stringent security measures, especially in view of the visit of Chief Minister O Ibobi to attend the marriage ceremony of MLA of Keirao Assembly Constituency Karam Thamarjit.

On account of the strict enforcement of the bandh, vehicles coming from Ukhrul towards Imphal were diverted from Napetpalli towards Nongpok Kakching, Theitong and Andro via Ngarian to reach Imphal.

Vehicles coming from Lamlai side, they were diverted from Salanthong and came out through Sangakpham and Chingmeirong to reach Imphal.

The bandh did not have any impact on the normal business transaction in Khwairamband Bazar, the main commercial hub of the State and many private vehicles were seen plying on the roads.

But most inter district transport services stayed off the road fearing reprisal of the bandh supporters.

Bandh also had partial impact at Singjamei and Thongam Leikai area where bandh supporters were seen erected road blockade and the market place remained deserted with all the shops shut down.

It may be noted here that police have already arrested five people including four members of a family in connection with the killing of Devraj.

The JAC has demanded the State Government to institute a judicial inquiry into the killing and award befitting against the perpetrators of the crime.

On the other hand, various social organisations have condemned the killing of the JCB driver.

These included Socio-Economic Industrial & Cultural Organisation (Singjamei), All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers and Pullers' Welfare Association, People's Action for National Democratic Movement, Social Upliftment Organisation, etc.