SOBHAPATI SAMOM
IMPHAL, May 21 – The alleged abduction and killing of an educated unemployed person in a ‘reported encounter’ by the security forces has sparked protests in Imphal on Tuesday.
Angry residents blocked the busy Indo-Myanmar Highway near the victim’s locality at Mayengbam Leikai area in Imphal West district which disturbed the movement of vehicles for more than an hour, besides closing the shops and market places at Singjamei area.
On Saturday, Loitongbam Satish,34 of Singjamei Oinam Thingel along with one Pebam Gunindro, a BJP worker were allegedly abducted by security personnel suspected to be State police commandos near the Sajiwa Jail while they were returning after meeting Satish lodged in the Jail, on a scooter.
While wives of the two individuals appealed for their safe release, Satish was reportedly gunned down in an alleged ‘encounter’ by a combined team of police commandos and Assam Rifles at Laikoi Ching under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district on Sunday. Police claimed one .32 pistol along with five live ammunition have been recovered from the slain person.
Hearing the news on Monday, the locals came out in a group and staged a sit-in on NH 39. Demanding punishment of the accused personnel involved in the killing of Satish within 48 hours, a joint action committee against the killing was floated which submitted a memorandum to the State Chief Minister.
The memorandum also demanded legal help for his wife, besides an inquiry into the incident.