Cop on sentry duty killed
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, April 20 2011: A fifty-three-year-old police personnel who was on duty at the sentry post of the district SP's office was found in a critical condition with multiple bullet injuries on his head inside his post at around 8PM Monday night.

The local media have reported that he was brought to the district hospital here at around 8.15PM that night and succumbed twenty-five minutes later.

Father of four and a resident of Zenhang Lamka, the deceased policeman identified as Ginthianlal son of (L) Thangzadou bore injuries suspected to be fired from his service 303 rifle at least on three points; above his left eye, below his right eye and on his jaw.

As the police have no clues on the circumstances leading to his death and residents from victim's locality suspecting a foul play, the atmosphere in and around the hospital moments after his death on Monday night was tense.

The mob gathered there even resorted to physically attacking two of the police vehicle, forcing them to make a hasty retreat.

Police sources said, some youths have even attempted to attack the police station, but that was timely foiled by them.

The situation was subsided the following evening, only after the personal intervention of IG Law and Order II Chiristopher Doungel, the SP incharge and the Deputy Commissioner.

The officials, it is said have engaged public leaders here since early yesterday in an attempt to appease the irate crowd that have suspected foul play in the death of the policeman.

With the government agreeing to grant all available benefits to the victim's family including that ex-gratia, pension and compensation besides conducting a thorough investigation on the incident, the family members have claimed the body at around 4.30 PM last night after an autopsy.

It was then buried at around 6.30PM.By negotiating a settlement, they (the officials) have managed to settle the highly tense atmosphere that was brewing within the locals, Christopher told The Sangai Express.

Considering the blood stains that were scattered across the sentry-post wall, the presence of a couple of holes on the tin roof and the accounts of those who heard the gunshot-twice with an interval of about a minute, the chances of suicide seems minimal.

The policeman was on duty with a 303 rifle that needs a manual reload once it was fired.

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