Imphal, April 25 2009: CLAIMING THAT the youth, killed by a combined force of Assam Rifles and police commandos on April 23 last at Laikot village in Imphal east was an innocent and picked up before shooting to dead, villagers of Thoubal Hoakha today demanded actions against the security forces involved in the killing.

The villagers also threatened to call 24- hour Thoubal district bandh from 5 am of April 26 pressing the government to fulfill their demands.

Villagers alleged that Elangbam Kiranjit (26) son of Ibohal of Thoubal Haokha has been abducted by the Thoubal police commandos from Thoubal Khunou on his way to bring back home domestic cattle.

With a rope in the hand, he went out with a bicycle, the protestors who came up at the Chief Minister's official Bungalow, Bapupara said.

Mother of the deceased Kiranjit Elangbam ongbi Esheihanbi said Kiranjit who was the second of five sons engaged in working as labour with available works to help the family.

He sometimes worked as meson labour and earth works.

He went out from home to bring back home domestic cattle in the evening of April 23 at the lake area of Thoubal Khunou with a bicycle.

Rope also accompanied, she added.

Thoubal police commandos picked him up on his way, Esheihanbi alleged asking how, a man gone out with rope be killed in gun encounter.

How rope turns out to be gun, the bereaved mother asked.

The claim of recovery of gun from his possession is a liar one, she cried adding Kiranjit's mobile hand set with sim card no.98564083346 has been remaining switch off since after he was picked up.

Around 300 villagers in two buses and a truck this afternoon came up towards the Chief Minister's Bungalow was blocked by police at Moirangkhom before allowing them to proceed and submit a memorandum to the chief minister containing their demands.

Among other, the memorandum demanded punishment to the police commandos involved in the killing of Kiranjit.

"Leave the habit of killing people for the sake of gallantry award, we could not agree with rope turning into gun etc.

was also displayed by the protestors.

In the memorandum submitted by the JAC formed in connection with the killing demanded suspension of the police commandos involved in the killing from their service, not to receive the dead body till the demand is fulfilled by the government.

They also demanded resignation of the home minister of the state or declaration of Kiranjit as innocent civilian.

The JAC also threatened that to launch several forms of agitations and go to court to deliver justice to the case and imposition of district bandh in Thoubal district.

Mention may be made that police had said that he was killed with the unknown youth during an encounter at Laikot village in Imphal east by a combined force of troops of 28 Assam Rifles and Thoubal police commandos during a join operation.

They also claimed recovery of weapons and ammunitions from the two slain who they suspected to be militants.

Comment