Thrashed youth claim innocence
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 09 2015 :
Three youths, who were allegedly beaten up by the locals of Thoubal Leishangthem bazar, have claimed their innocence stating that fabricated charges have been levelled against them.
Speaking to reporters at Public Hospital, Hatta, one of the victims, identified as Md Zakir Khan (18) s/o Abdul Basi of Irong Thongkhong said that he along with three friends of his locality - Shahrukh Khan (18) s/o Shikandre, Sabir s/o Khalid and Kalam (18) s/o Sambungbi - were returning home from Phundrei Sangaiyumpham in two two-wheelers (one Bajaj Discover bike and one Bajaj Pulsar bike) yesterday evening.
When they reached Thoubal Leishangthem bazar, they halted there to have snacks in a hotel, he said.
Within a few minutes, a woman came out to the market and shouted that a thief had barged into her house, Zakir said.
On hearing the woman's scream, they came out from the hotel and three of them went to the spot to check what was going on while Shahrukh Khan went to a nearby pan shop to take pan, Zakir Khan said.
Instead of chasing the real thieves, people gathered there thrashed them alleging that they were the thieves, he said.
Zakir Khan further said that the crowd not only refused to listen to their plea to free them but also burnt down their bikes there.
Shahrukh Khan, who witnessed the incident from the nearby pan shop, ran away from there and informed the police who rescued the three youths.
Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation president Phun-dreimayum Abdula Pathan strongly condemned the incident.
He said that it was unfortunate to thrash the three youths although they repeatedly claimed their innocence.
In the past as well, many persons had been killed by irate mob without finding out the truth.
He also appealed to the concerned not to repeat such brutality in future.