Slain man GP member, protest held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 09 2008: The individual shot dead by troops of 32 Assam Rifles during a reported encounter near Irilbung Forest gate under Irilbung police station last night has turned out to be a Gram Panchayat member.

Counting yesterday's incident, security forces have killed one GP member while PULF has shot dead one Pradhan this month.

The GP member shot dead yesterday has been identified as Md Azad Khan (28) of Santhel Mamang Leikai.

He was Member of ward no 7/2, Hayel Hangoon Gram Panchayat.

Protest held against the killing of the GP member

According to Azad Khan's elder brother Md Musha, besides being a GP member, Azad used to deal in fingerlings to augment family income.

He went out on an NV scooter yesterday morning to deliver fingerlings to some places.

After delivering the fingerlings, Azad was waiting for meal at the house of his younger sister, Majida Bibi at Phundrei Sabal Leikai when he was called out by a man clad in civilian dress, Musha said.

At about 12 noon, Majida informed through telephone that Azad Khan had been picked up from Khongjom.

Even as the family members tried hard to locate Azad Khan, they could not trace him.

But reports about a UG cadre shot dead by AR at Irilbung published in newspapers today aroused suspicion for the worst among the family members .

Subsequently they rushed to RIMS morgue where they found Azad Khan lying dead, said Md Musha.

Meanwhile, in connection with the killing of Md Azad Khan, a public meeting was held at Santhel Idiga ground this afternoon.

The meeting resolved to constitute JAC against the Brutal Killing of Md Azad Khan, Member 7/2 Hayel Hangoon Gram Panchayat.

Other resolutions of the meeting include awarding fitting punishment to all those involved in the killing after identifying them, ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs to the family of the deceased and a suitable Government job to one of the family members.

It further resolved not to claim the corpse of Md Azad Khan until and unless the Government come to an agreement with the JAC on their demands.

After the meeting, the JAC members along with Mayang Imphal A/C MLA Ratan came to Imphal and submitted a memorandum containing the demands to Chief Minister in-charge Thoudam Debendra.

The JAC would discuss the matter with CM in-charge Debendra tomorrow at 10 am.

MLA Ratan will also attend the meeting.

Earlier on November 3, Pradhan of Irong Chesaba GP Md Zuma Khan was shot dead by PULF at Lilong Nungrei under Lilong police station.