Murder of Raghuchand : Accused pulled up, mob attacks house
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2014: Even as the corpse of Nongthombam Raghuchand was claimed by his family and the JAC, a group of people enraged by the murder attacked the house of Yumnam Lanthoiba who is allegedly involved in the murder.

On the other hand, Bishnupur police have claimed that the main accused in the murder case of Raghuchand has been apprehended.

A press release issued by police PRO S Gautam identified the accused as Yumnam Lanthoiba (29) s/o Y Deben of Yumnam Leikai, Oinam, Bishnupur district.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused, presently under police custody, was involved in the killing of Raghuchand.

Responding to the authority's notification to dispose off Raghuchand's corpse if the same is not claimed by today, the JAC and family members went to claim the corpse this morning.

They brought the mortal remains of Raghuchand to Oinam Bazar at around 2 pm.

Police controling the mob

A large group of people already gathered there attempted to take out a procession carrying Raghu-chand's body around Oinam Bazar but the bid was aborted by police.

After a brief stand-off with police, the crowd vandalised the house of Yumnam Lanthoiba (29) s/o Y Deben of Oinam Yumnam Huidrom but no major damage was done as police arrived and intervened in time.

Frightened by the ensuing melee, Lanthoiba's grandmother broke down for a brief spell.

Raghuchand's elder sister and aunts of the accused also exchanged blows.

Even as police could somehow bring the situation under control, the mob made repeated attempts to vandalise the house of Lanthoiba.

They maintained the accused should be banished from the locality and his house burnt down.

This was followed by a lightning strike.

Tyres were burnt and logs were put across the road at Oinam Bazar thereby causing severe difficulties to all commuters.

Even school students returning from schools were also stranded.

Later, Bishnupur SP N Herojit and Oinam A/C MLA Dr I Ibohalbi came to the spot and tried to mollify the incensed crowd.

The SP assured that all the culprit(s) would be awarded befitting punishment according to law.

Dr Ibohalbi also appealed to the enraged crowd not to harass family members of Lanthoiba.

The MLA also asked the IO and other police personnel handling the case to act promptly and scrupulously.

Speaking to media persons, JAC president Oinam (O) Bimola said that many criminal cases took place at Oinam in the past too but justice was never done.

People are making the uproar as they are apprehensive of the authority letting the culprit(s) go scotfree as in the past.

With both the SP and the local MLA claiming that the alleged murderer has been arrested, the last rites of Raghuchand would be performed with all the customary rites and rituals.

Yet the JAC is ever ready to launch all kinds of intense agitation if the assurances given by the SP and the local MLA are not translated into action at the earliest.

Later, the road blockade was lifted following an understanding.