Cop among two shot dead; JAC sets deadline
CM vows to apprehend assailants as soon as possible
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 10 2022: The two men who were shot at and injured by unidentified gunmen on Sunday evening at Samurou Awang Leikai under Wangoi PS have succumbed to their injuries.

On Monday, a large crowd blocked Mayai Lambi protesting against the killings while the JAC formed in connection with the deaths has demanded that the truth in the case be revealed within 48 hours.

On the other hand, CM N Biren met the families of the deceased duo and gave assurance of apprehending the culprits involved at the earliest.

The two deceased men have been identified Abujam John s/o (L) Dhozo and Abujam Tomba alias Sashikanta s/o (L) Mani of Samurou Awang Leikai.

Abujam John was an active worker of Wangoi AC MLA O Lukhoi.

He was admitted to Advanced Hospital on Sunday evening but succumbed to the injuries shortly after.

Abujam Sashikanta was a havildarof 2 IRB, currently attached to Special Commando.

He was admitted to Raj Medicity but passed away in early hours of Monday.

The bodies of the two are being kept at RIMS Morgue for post mortem examination.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident, enraged locals shut down MayaiLambi near Samurou on Monday.

The protestors blocked the roads by piling tree branches and setting fire used tyres.

A meeting was also organised at Samurou Awang Leikai community hall, wherein a JAC was formed and several resolutions adopted.

The resolution includes not claiming the bodies until the truth in the case is revealed; opening a police outpost in Samurou to prevent occurrence of such incidents in future; installation of CCTV cameras in key areas and launching of intense protests if the investigation fails to yield the results within 48 hours.

Later, CM N Biren accompanied by Wangoi AC MLA O Lukhoi met the families of the deceased men.

The JAC also submitted a memorandum containing the aforementioned resolutions to the CM.

Speaking in this regard, CM Biren contended that the state government does not agree with threatening the people and carrying out such violent crimes.

He then strongly condemned the incident, while adding that the incident could be regarded as an attack by belligerent people on innocent civilians and BJP workers and supporters.

Thus, he assured of apprehending the culprits at the earliest and award them befitting punishments.

"The violence was perpetrated by people with vested interests who do not want peace in Manipur and are trying to get the political advantage ahead of the elections," the Chief Minister said.

Locals alleged that the killings were done with a political purpose as Abujam John was a BJP worker and an aide of the agriculture minister.

On the other hand, IGP Zone -1 Themthing Ngasangva and DIGP (R-I & II) K Kabib also visited the crime scene.

Wangoi police station has already registered a case in connection with the deaths and investigation is underway.

BJP Wangoi Mandal has strongly condemned the killing of former 22/5 Samurou Awang Leikai Booth president Abujam John and Abujam Sashikanta alias Tomba.

The Mandal also shared the grief of the bereaved families, a press release issued by BJP WangoiMandal president L Tombi Singh conveyed.

According to local sources, a group of miscreants arrived and opened fire on both the party workers near Machu Cinema Hall at Samurou.

The state will go to the assembly polls in two phases with the first phase on February 27 and the second on March 3.A police official said that the unidentified gunmen suspected to be militants came in a small car late on Sunday night and fired at Abujam John (54) and Abujam Tomba (47) while they were talking on the street at Wangoi.

The security forces launched a massive search operation immediately after the incident to nab the attackers.

This is the first pre-poll violence after the Election Commission announced the schedule of the elections to the 60-member Manipur Assembly on Saturday.

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