Class XII student shot dead, many condemn
CM invites JAC, bandh temporarily lifted
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, March 26 2023: In a tragic incident, a student who was appearing in the ongoing Class XII examination was shot dead on Saturday at around 8.30 pm at Sharon Veng at Motbung Model village in Kangpokpi district.

The student (17), has been identified as Seigunlal Misao, the only child (son) of Lenkhothang Misao of Sharon Veng, Motbung village.

He was shot dead by two bike borne miscreants a few metres away from his residence.

The motive for the killing is not known yet and the police are yet to identify and arrest the culprits.

Following the incident, an unpleasant and heated environment erupted at Motbung Model village as enraged mobs disrupted flow of traffic along the National Highway.

CCTV installed at Letpao Healthcare Centre captured the suspected assailants including a lady on a two-wheeler vehicle.

Class XII student shot dead, many condemn

It is reported that the unknown miscreants fled the scene after committing the crime towards Imphal side.

Soon after the fatal shooting, Kangpokpi police led by Superintendent of Police, Th Vikramjit Singh immediately rushed to the scene to control the infuriated people while forensic experts arrived at the spot at around 12.30 am.

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

In the morning today, the locals constituted a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to spearhead the issue and a sit-in protest was held at Motbung Model village demanding the State Government and authorities concerned to nab the culprits at the earliest.

A lightning bandh was also enforced along the National Highway from 9.30 am disrupting vehicular movement at Motbung.

Hundreds of protestors in the sit-in protest raised slogans demanding the police to arrest the culprits and deliver justice for Seigunlal Misao.

The people raised slogans and held banners and placards that read "we want justice", "nab the culprits at the earliest'', "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 was just 17, shame on you murderers", "today is Seigunlal, tomorrow????", "book the culprits", "we shall mourn until justice is delivered" etc.

The mobs resorted to burning tyres and laying stones and benches to obstruct the traffic on the highway.

Speaking to the media, Motbung Village Authority member, Lamkholen Singsit said that the people strongly condemn the merciless killing of Seigunlal Misao and demand the State Government and law enforcement agencies to nab the culprits at the earliest.

Deceased Seigunlal Misao had a good moral character and was good in his studies.

Son of a paralyzed father, Seigunlal Misao was brought up by his mother who works in a quarry to support his studies, said Lamkholen Singsit urging the Government to look into the impoverished condition of the family.

Motbung Meira Paibi secretary, Konsam ongbi Ranjana Devi said the Meira Paibis along with the people condemn the brutal murder of Seigunlal Misao in the strongest term and demand the Government and the police to nab the culprits at the earliest.

If the culprits are not identified and booked at the earliest, Motbung Meira Paibi will endorse and support the JAC in all its movements at all costs to deliver justice to the family.

Local MLA Haokholet Kipgen also visited the victim's family and shared the pain and grief while conveying that he stands with them during this difficult time.

The MLA also met the protesters and members of the JAC and convened a joint meeting with the district administration and the district police at the Motbung village chief's residence.

After the meeting, the MLA urged the agitating people to calm the situation and assured that he would convey their message to the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, JAC convenor, Paominlun Lhouvum termed Saturday's fatal shooting as a barbaric and cowardly act and condemned it in the strongest term.

He clarified that the bandh was enforced out of anger and to draw the attention of the Government and the JAC is demanding arrest of all the culprits involved, appropriate ex-gratia to the family of the deceased, and a suitable Government job to the mother.

He continued that after the local MLA intervened, Chief Minister N Biren Singh invited the JAC and held a meeting with him.

The Chief Minister has assured that the culprits will be arrested within 3 days, however, the bandh lifted in good faith will be resumed if the culprits are not booked within the assured time frame, he said.

Regarding the other demands, the JAC convenor said that Sunday being a holiday, the Chief Minister has requested the JAC to meet him again on Monday and discuss their demands in the presence of the officials of Departments concerned.

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

KSO Sadar Hills stated that the merciless killing of Seigunlal Misao 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 sharing their deepest condolences, the student bodies appealed to all concerned to take full measures to prevent such atrocities in the future.