Man dies of "assault", JAC storms police station
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 02 2024: "Brutal torture" by alleged members of Arambai Tengol Kakching Unit has resulted in the death of a 35-year-old man, said people of Tejpur Mayai Leikai, Kakching district.

The 35-year-old deceased has been identified as Haobam Naocha (35), son of Late Haobam Manimukta of Tejpur Mayai Leikai, under Waikhong police station.

Haobam Naocha was among nine persons who were allegedly summoned by the "Arambai Tengol Kakching Unit" and later "tortured brutally" on January 1 .

It has been alleged that Arambai Tengol Kakching Unit had summoned some men who were "blackmailing a minor girl with the intention to exploit her" .

However, The Sangai Express couldn't verify whether or not the nine persons including the deceased were the men Arambai Tengol Kakching Unit had allegedly summoned.

Significantly, an audio record of a phone conversation between the minor girl and a man said to be linked with the incident has gone viral on social media.

In the audio clip, the man, not identified, is heard forcing the minor girl to meet him in private.

The man is heard warning he may upload a compromising video of the girl on social media platforms.

Meanwhile, in connection with the death of Haobam Naocha, locals of Tejpur held a public meeting at the Tejpur Mayai Leikai Primary School ground and formed a Joint Action Committee.

Condemning the "murder" of Haobam Naocha and "brutal torture of 8 others", the Joint Action Committee said persons, who claimed to be members of Arambai Tengol (AT) Kakching Unit came searching for Haobam Naocha on December 31, 2023 at his house at Tejpur Mayai Leikai.

As he was not home at the time, the alleged members of AT instructed the family members to send Haobam Naocha to its office at Kakching on January 1 .

As instructed, on January 1, members of Meira Paibis, three clubs of Tejpur and families brought Haobam Naocha and eight others to the office of the AT Kakching Unit.

The eight persons, besides Haobam Naocha, have been identified as Chingkham Malemnganba, Sapam Romio, Th Somendro, Sapam Tejmani, Khundrakpam Rohit, Wairokpam Shyamchandra, Wairokpam Ningthemba and Naorem Thoiba.

Alleging the nine persons were not brought in time, the alleged members of AT beat them in front of their families and members of Meira Paibi and clubs, claimed JAC spokesperson Ratankumar.

Later, some "AT members" took eight of the nine persons in a vehicle.

The eight were brought back to the AT office hours later.

Severely assaulted, the men couldn't walk.

The eight along with the other person (altogether 9) were brought inside the AT office and severely tortured again, claimed Ratankumar.

While Haobam Naocha has died of the "torture", the other eight persons have been severely injured.

Seven of them have been hospitalised, said Ratankumar.

"The people of Tejpur handed over the nine persons to the AT Kakching Unit because they trusted it.

Yesterday, AT has claimed that the incident of death is not related to it.

If this is true, then AT should declare its Kakching Unit as gangs operating independently," said Ratankumar.

Condemning the incident, Tejpur Mayai Leikai Meira Paibi general secretary Keisham Angangtombi said the alleged action of the AT Kakching Unit has defamed the entire Arambai Tengol.

Later in the day, JAC members stormed Kakching police station demanding arrest of persons involved in the incident.

The JAC members and families of the nine persons spoke with Kakching district Superintendent of Police and other senior officials wherein they were informed that the persons involved in the incident have been arrested.

While the JAC has agreed to conduct postmortem on the deceased, it said, is urging the Chief Minister to ensure punishment to the persons involved in the incident according to law.

It is further urging the Government to provide assistance to the widow of the deceased and their two children, one 6-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, said the JAC.

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