NH blocked to protest teen's murder, suspended
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, March 26 2023: The impromptu blockade imposed in Motbung sector of the National Highway-2 to protest the gunning down of a teenager on Saturday evening has been suspended after assurance given by chief minister N Biren to track down perpetrators of the crime.

The highway was blacked after a student appearing in the ongoing Class XII examination conducted by COHSEM was shot dead on Saturday around 8:30 pm at Sharon Veng, Motbung model village in Kangpokpi district.

Following the incident, tension gripped Motbung model village and enraged protesters resorted to disrupting traffic flow along the Imphal-Dimapur road.

The victim identified as Seigunlal Misao (17) was the only son of Lenkhothang Misao of Sharon Veng.

He was shot dead by unknown miscreants a few metres away from his residence.

CCTV installed at Letpao Healthcare Centre captured the movement of some individuals including a lady in two-wheelers but was not very clear to identify.

According to denizens of Motbung village, the Seigunlal had a good moral character and was a bright student.

Son of a paralysed father, the victim was brought up by his mother who worked in a quarry to support his studies.

It was reported that after committing the crime the assailants fled in the two wheeler towards Imphal side.

Kangpokpi police led by SP Th Vikramjit Singh swung into action and controlled the mob as the forensic team arrived around 12:30 am.

Later, the body was recovered by Kangpokpi police and deposited at the RIMS morgue for post-mortem.

In the morning, a Joint Action Committee was constituted to spear head the issue and organised a sit-in protest at Motbung model village demanding the state government and authorities concerned to nab the culprits at the earliest.

A lightning bandh was also enforced at Motbung section of the National Highway from 9:30 am Sunday disrupting vehicular movement.

Hundreds of protestors in the sit-in protest shouted slogans "we want justice", "nab the culprits at the earliest", etc., while holding placards that read "we condemn soulless and inhumane act", "justice for Seigunlal Misao", "justice delayed is justice denied", "we will not rest until the murderers are caught", "he is just 17, shame on you murderers", "today is Seigunlal, tomorrow????", "Book the culprits", "we shall mourn until justice is delivered", etc.

Speaking to the media, Motbung Village Authority member Lamkholen Singsit condemned the merciless killing of Seigunlal and demanded that the government and law enforcement agencies nab the culprits at the earliest.

While narrating condition of the bereaved family, Lamkholen urged the state government to look into the impoverished condition of the family.

Motbung Meira Paibi secretary Konsam Ranjana Devi also condemned the murder of Seigunlal Misao in the strongest term and demanded arrest of the culprits at the earliest.

She continued that if the culprits are not booked at the earliest, they will support the JAC's movement to deliver justice to the victim and his family.

Local MLA Haokholet Kipgen also met the victim's family before meeting the protesters and the JAC along with the local bodies of Motbung.

He convened a joint meeting with the district administration and the police at the residence of Motbung village chief.

After the meeting, the MLA urged the agitating protesters to relax the lightning bandh while assuring them to convey the matter to the chief minister.

JAC convenor Paominlun Lhouvum termed the Saturday incident as barbaric and cowardice' and condemned it in the strongest term.

He clarified that the lightning bandh was enforced out of anger and to draw the attention of the government.

The JAC convenor also informed that with the intervention of the local MLA, the chief minister invited them for talks, because of which the bandh was temporarily lifted.

Highlighting their demands, the JAC convenor said that their demands include arrest of the culprits involved in the brutal murder of Seigunlal Misao, provide Commensurate ex-gratia to the deceased's family, and suitable government job to mother of the victim.

Later, after the meeting with chief minister, the convenor informed that the chief minister assured them to nab the culprits within three days.

At the same time, he warned of resumption of agitation if the culprits are not booked within the specified period.

Regarding the charter of demands, the JAC leader said that Sunday being holiday, the chief minister told them to meet on Monday and discuss it in the presence of the department concerned.

Meanwhile, Thadou Students' Association Sadar Hills, KSO Sadar Hills, Hangmi Students' Union and many other civil society organisations condemned the brutal killing of Seigunlal Misao.

KSO Sadar Hills stated that the merciless killing of Seigunlal is an unpardonable crime, defying all ethics and morals, and such acts of barbarism will only hamper peace and harmony thereby causing unrest in the minds of the citizens.

While conveying their deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the student bodies appealed to all concerned to take full measures to prevent such killing in the future.

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