Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 21, 2010:
In protest against the brutal killing of Assistant Horticulture Officer (AO) of Bishnupur District, Nongthombam Sarat, a 12-hour Tiddim Road bandh has called with effect from 5 am tomorrow.
The decision was taken during a public meeting held in connection with killing at Oinam Bazar today.
Along with formation of a Joint Action Committee against the killing, the meeting also elected the functionaries of the Committee.
A resident of Oinam Kangjeibung Awang, AO Sarat was reportedly called out and shot at by two armed youths in front of his own wife at their residential gate at around 7 pm yesterday.
He was rushed to Shija Hospital for treatment but succumbed to the bullet injuries later.
Today�s meeting also decided to submit a memorandum containing a charter of demands to the Chief Minister.
The demands of the JAC include arrest and punishment of the killers, payment of Rs 10 lakh compensation to the bereaved family and a providing a suitable job to one of the next of kins.
The meeting further demanded that the body would not be taken until the Government arrived at an agreement with the JAC in connection with these demands.
In protest against the killing, a sit-in-protest demonstration was also staged at Oinam Bazar.
Afterward, a protest march was taken out and submitted a memorandum to the SDC.
According to Memnungshi Devi, wife of the deceased, two armed youths who identified themselves as members of the proscribed KYKL came to their house last night and called out AO Sarat for a talk.
Just before her husband went out of the house, he told her to make some arrangements for food and lodging as some more people are expected to stay in the house for the night.
As soon as the two armed youths and her husband reached the gate, Memnungshi followed them.
Before she could say anything, one of the armed youth, who was tall and lean with dark complexion whisked out his gun and shot at Sarat right in front of her own eyes while the other armed youth was seen turning the direction of the Honda Activa in which they have come.
Memnungshi informed that her husband had not received any demand note or threat from any UG group.
Being a diabetes patient, her husband has not been able to attend office regularly, she added.
AO Sarat is survived by his wife and four sons.