Four killed, 14 injured, Gypsys burnt in Lilong
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, January 02 2024: In a shocking incident on the New Year, four people were killed and 14 others left injured in an alleged shootout incident that took place in Lilong Chingjao village under Lilong police station, Thoubal district on Monday night.

The incident occurred at around 7 pm when some armed men came and tried to whisk away one Md Hassan of the village.

Irate local residents also burned down four Maruti Gypsies belonging to the armed men.

Consequent to the incident, district administrations of five valley districts promulgated full curfew to curb further spread of violence.

The four victims have been identified as Makakmayum Sirajuddin (55) son of Reihajuddin, Md Azad khan (35) son of Md Noor Jaman, Md Hussain (25) son of late Md Habibur Rahman and Md Dawood (40) son of Md Jalaluddin.

All were local residents, except for Md Dawood, who was a resident of Lilong Mairenkhun but had been staying at his wife's home at Lilong Chingjao.

The other three died on the spot while Md Dawood succumbed to injuries at Amina Hospital.

On Tuesday, a public meeting was held at Lilong Chingjao with members of different CSOs attending the meeting.

During the meeting, All India Tanzeem-e Insab (AITI) national secretary Md Islahuddin alias Khura said that as per family members of Md Hassan, around 25 armed men in battle fatigues similar to that of police commandos entered the house of Md Hassan on Monday around 7 pm.

They enquired about Hassan and started assaulting his wife and children as the wife was trying to call Hassan over the phone, he said.

According to the family members, worried over the situation, the wife shouted for help to which the local people gathered there.

On seeing the crowd, the armed intruders fled while firing from their weapons.

The family has not received any monetary demand from any group or organisation and they are also denying the allegation of involving in illegal drug trade as alleged by some people, Md Islauddin said.

The public meeting strongly condemned the incident alleging it as a deliberate act, arid formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) against Mass Killing and Brutal Act at Lilong Chajing on the 1st January, 2024.The meeting also acknowledged the role of CSOs, CM Biren and MLAs in keeping the situation from spiralling out of control, and the assurance for justice given by the chief minister while reaffirming the stand for unity and integrity of the state.

The meeting also resolved to restrict entry of unlawful organisations and their members in Meitei Pangal inhabited areas and to demand the government to approve formation of a Meitei Pangal Protection Force.

It also resolved to submit a memorandum to the government to prevent any such incidents in future while cautioning of launching intense agitation if the government does not deliver justice at the earliest.

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