Youth shot dead over tiff for crossing bridge first
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 26 2018: A 25 year old youth has been shot dead over a tiff to cross the new Naoremthong bridge first which led to closure of Imphal Airport road for some hours today.

The fatal shooting took place in the middle ofthe new Naoremthong bridge, Imphal West district under Lamphel police station at around 10.30 pm yesterday.

The victim has been identified as one Salam Prashanta (25) s/o Tomba of Changangei Uchekon while the accused is Deputy Manager of SBI Leimakhong Branch Chabungbam Budhachandra (56) s/o late Babudhon of Tera Loukrakpam Leikai.

It is said that Prashanta used to work as a mechanic in an automobile workshop.

Prashanta was hit by a bullet on the chest and he was declared brought dead at RIMS.

Budhachandra has been arrested by police and his licensed gun has also be seized apart from registering an FIR.

Speaking to media persons this morning, Waheng- bam Sanahal of Changangei who reportedly witnessed the incident said that Prashanta and two others were travelling towards Naoremthong from Tera in a car (Maruti Swift).

Four of their friends followed behind them in another car (Chevrolet Cruze).

As they reached the turning just ahead of the bridge, a third car (Hyundai i-20 Active) came from the opposite direction of the bridge.

As the Maruti Swift and the Hyundai i-20 came face to face, they waited for each other to make room to pass each other.

But in the next moment, the two parties started shouting against each other over who should cross the bridge first, Sanahal said.

Suddenly, the Hyundai i-20 moved in reverse gear for a metres, then moved forward and pulled up.

Then the man who was driving the Hyundai i-20 came out with a small gun in his hand.

"Coming to us, he asked for the driver of the Maruti Swift.

Even though we intervened and tried to pacify him, he directed his wrath to anyone who intervened.

Then we heard a gun shot", Sanahal recounted.

In the next moment, Prashanta was seen bleeding in the driver's seat.

Expressing strong condemnation against the killing of Prashanta over a very trivial matter, a number of people blocked airport road at Changangei from 8 am today.

Before Imphal West SP Jogeschandra Haobijam came to the protest site, MLAs AK Mirabai and S Subhaschandra too came there and talked with the protesters.

Informing that the killer has been arrested, the SP tried to mollify the enraged protesters saying that the accused would be punished according to law.

Later, the road was re-opened to traffic.

Meanwhile, a public action committee (PAC) has been constituted at Cha-ngangei in connection with the killing of Prashanta and the PAC has already drafted a memorandum which would be submitted to the Chief Minister.

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