Imphal, Dec 27: A 24-hour Manipur total shutdown has been enforced by the joint action committee (JAC) which is seeking justice in the killing of a ‘village volunteer’ by Manipur Police personnel in Thoubal district.
The total shutdown came to be effective from 6 pm of December 27 and will be enforced till 6 pm of December 28.
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A Manipur Police report had claimed that Laishram Prem (18), a resident of Thoubal Khunnou in Thoubal district, was killed by police commandos, besides arresting six others during an encounter at the Salungpham area of Thoubal district on December 14. Laishram Prem was grievously injured in the reported encounter and later succumbed at Raj Medicity Hospital in Imphal.
The police had also claimed that the youth was a cadre belonging to a banned underground outfit. On the contrary, the deceased’s family, the JAC and the local meira paibis (women folk) have insisted that Laishram Prem was a village volunteer.
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The JAC has demanded that the six ‘volunteers’ be released without any conditions. The police had also claimed that arms and ammunition were recovered from them, adding that they were found to be looted weapons from the police armoury.
On December 15, protest was intensified in Thoubal district following the death of the youth and the arrest of six others by the state police. Protesters had blocked National Highway 102, Imphal-Moreh road demanding legal action against the police personnel involved in the ‘village volunteer’ killing and unconditional release of all the arrested ‘volunteers’.
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The JAC has taken a stand not to claim the body of the youth until their demands are met by the government. On Thursday, the committee had said emergencies, essential services and media will be exempted from the purview of the shutdown.
(Newmai News Network)