Pradhan, wife of murdered man produced before Court as murder accused
Mob targets Irilbung PS, blocks Imphal-Ngariyan road
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04 2019: The case of the brutal murder of Khunjamayum Arun of Bamon Kampu Makha Leikai took a violent turn today with police firing several rounds of tear gas shells and smoke bombs to control irate locals who stormed Irilbung PS and blocked Imphal Ngariyan road demanding justice.

The incident occurred today afternoon soon after the two accused individuals, Pradhan of Bamon Kampu N Rabi and the wife of the deceased K Helen were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East Court (Lamphelpat) .

At around 11 am, a large number of JAC and family members began gathering at Lamphel Court complex after getting information that the accused persons will be produced before the Court for further proceedings.

They were however stopped from going inside the Court complex by the security personnel deployed at the entrance gate of the Court complex.

However, while they were waiting in front of the gate, the accused individuals were taken away secretly along an alternate route located at the western side of the Court complex by the security personnel.

Mob targets Irilbung PS, blocks Imphal-Ngariyan road

Angered over the act, irate people staged a protest for some minute at Lamphel Court complex.

Speaking to media persons, one of the locals stated that the police went against the understanding reached between the authority concerned and the JAC in which it was agreed to allow some of the JAC members to hear the Court proceedings today.

Angered, the people decided to block Imphal Ngariyan road and storm Irilbung PS.

The locals destroyed the waiting shed built at the entrance gate of Irilbung PS and also damaged the iron barricades and as well as the windshield of a car parked inside the police station complex.

Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to dispersed the mob from Irilbung PS and during the said incident, one VDF personnel sustained injuries on his left hand after being hit by a stone thrown by the angry mob.

On the other hand, an ISTV news journalist also sustained minor head injuries during the incident.

Soon after the incident, a large number of Imphal East district police led by SP H Jogeshchandra came to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control.

However, stone pelting, slingshots by the angry mob and retaliatory firing of tear gas shells by the police personnel continued at regular intervals for some time.

The locals of the surrounding villages also came out and joined the protest by blocking the road and even stopping police reinforcement vehicles that were approaching the incident site.

Tree branches and other objects were also placed in the middle of the road to prevent movement of any kind of vehicles along the roads.

The situation turned worse when a large mob tried to enter the residential compound of the accused Pradhan and dismantle his house.

They were stopped by police who forced them to turn back.

However, they did not turn tail without a fight as during their retreat they pelted stones toward the police personnel who were blocking them from entering the residence.

Eventually the situation was brought under control and the police also seized many slingshots and petrol bombs suspected to be planned for use by the angry mob during the protest.

After the situation subsided, local MLA of Kshetrigao AC Nahakpam Indrajit came to the spot and held a meeting with the locals and the JAC members.