CM vows action, curfew imposed, body claimed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 23 2021: Chief Minister N Biren visited Ningthoujam Premchand and Kh Rakesh of Heirok, who are undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity on Thursday and enquired about their well-being.

During the visit, Biren said that India is a democratic country and violence has no place in the state.

The government will give no leniency to those involved in the murder of a youth and assault on many others during a gun violence that took place in Heirok assembly constituency in Thoubal district.

Terming the incident as very unfortunate, the CM appealed to all concerned to shun violent activities in the campaign for the assembly election.

Politicians should also know that power lies with the public and they cannot escape public scrutiny if they indulge or encourage violence in their poll campaign, he said.

Meanwhile, the lifeless body of Ningthoujam Rohit, who was killed in pre-poll violence in Heirok has been claimed by his family on Thursday afternoon while Thoubal district magistrate has imposed curfew from 5 pm of Thursday for an indefinite period in Heirok so as to prevent unwanted incidents from happening.

According to family members of Rohit, the members of JAC formed in connection with the death of Rohit, and his elder brother Roshan met CM N Biren at the latter's secretariat office on Thursday.

The body was taken after an understanding was reached while meeting the CM.

During the meeting, the CM assured of arresting all those involved in the incident within two days.

A large number of people from Heirok came to JNIMS morgue to take the body of Rohit and later performed his last rites at his Heirok village.

On the other hand, Thoubal police personnel are maintaining vigilant in several areas of Heirok from Wednesday to prevent unwanted incidents from happening.

As per an order issued by Thoubal district magistrate A Subash curfew imposed under section 144 of CrPC will remain in force in the whole area of Heirok indefinitely with effect from 5 pm of Thursday.

The curfew will exempt government officials, law enforcement agencies and medical and essential services.

For wedding and other rituals, prior approval should be taken from the district SP and DC, the order added.

Mention may be made that Rohit, a college student, was gunned down, while his father was shot at in Heirok constituency late on Tuesday night.

Ahead of the assembly polls slated early next year, Heirok has been witnessing sporadic incidents of pre-poll violence since the last few weeks, with unidentified miscreants thrashing poll campaigners and ransacking their houses.

As reported, Rohit and his 53-year-old father, Ningthoujam Premchandra, had stepped out of the house after hearing gunshots near their residence around midnight.

Soon, unidentified masked men shot Rohit at point-blank range and also opened fire on his father.

While Rohit died on way to hospital, Premchandra is undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.

There is no report of arrest of anybody in connection with the incident till the time of filing the report.

Heirok is likely to see a fight between sitting BJP MLA Thokchom Radhesayam Singh and former minister and Congress strongman Moirangthem Okendro.

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