JCB driver killing: 36-hr bandh called
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 27 2013: In protest against the brutal killing of JCB driver Meisnam Devraj alias Tom of Khurai Sajor Leikai under Porompat Police Station, whose body was found buried at a place in Tamenglong district yesterday after he was hired by two unknown persons for digging out some culvert for repairing on October 14, the Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the mysterious disappearance of Devraj has called a 36-hour Manipur bandh with effect from 5 am tomorrow till 5 pm of October 29 .

The whereabouts of Devraj remained traceless after he had gone along with two unknown persons who paid Rs 3,000 as advance payment for hiring the JCB to its owner identified as Chanam Anilkumar of Chanam Pukhri Mapal in the morning of October 14 until his lifeless body was found buried at a spot near Seijang village along Imphal-Jiribam road in Tamenglong district yesterday evening.

JCB driver killing: 36-hr bandh called

The body was found and the missing JCB recovered by Imphal West district police following questioning of two of the main suspects arrested earlier.

When the news of the killing of Devraj spread, a large number of protestors came out on to the streets in Khurai Lamlong area and blocked Imphal-Pangei Road, Imphal Tinsid Road and Imphal-Ukhrul Road along with piling of boulders, timbers, wooden planks in the middle of the road to prevent movement of vehicular traffic since early morning today.

All the shops in and around Khurai Lamlong Keithel were also forced to shut down.

The protestors also set on fire the Traffic Island at Lamlong and other hoardings put up nearby.

Later on, a public meeting was held during which all those who spoke came out strongly against the failure of the State Government and its police force to save Devraj.

The meeting also adopted various resolutions including demanding institution of a judicial inquiry into the killing of Devraj, arrest of the remaining three accused involved in the killing, not to claim the body until the JAC and the State Government come to an agreement and calling of a 36-hour State-wide bandh with effect from 5 am tomorrow.

After the meeting, the protestors were planning to take out a rally, but sensing the tense situation, the police prevented them from organising the protest march.

Meanwhile, the number of people arrested including the two main accused in connection with the killing of JCB driver Maisnam Devraj has reached five.

The two main accused have been identified Namoijam Chalamba alias Rakesh (25) s/o N Gojen of Ningombam Makha Leikai and Tongbram Babu alias Shyamchand (27) s/o T Biren of Thanga Khunjao but currently staying at Langol Laimanai.

Police have also subsequently picked up Namoijam Gojen (50), who is the father is Chalambam, his younger brother Jimikanta (2) and wife Jiteshwori (24) .