Imphal: Manipur witnessed yet another incident of mob agitation on Tuesday in the capital Imphal. Intense scuffle broke out at Cheirap Court complex in Uripok in the afternoon over judicial remand of 6 accused persons in connection with the recent arms looting case at 5th IRB camp in Chingarel, Imphal East District on February 13. At least 6 people including one media person sustained injuries in security measures taken to control the agitating mob.
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A huge mob including family members and women folk stormed the court complex around 1 pm as 6 arrested persons in connection with the arms loot case were being produced before Special Judge NIA, Imphal East at the court complex. The agitators claimed that the arrested persons are innocent and demanded their unconditional release.
Allegation levelled against the 6 accused say theywere part of a mob that looted arms and ammunitions — 317 arms and 21,894 ammunitions. The Ld. Spl. PP submitted that the accused persons are needed to be remanded into Judicial Custody for further investigation on the ground that they are fully involved in the unlawful assembly resulting to looting of arms and ammunition mentioned above. The 6 accused persons were remanded into Judicial Custody for smooth investigation of the case till March 5. The court also treated the bail applications filed by the accused persons as regular bail applications and fixed February 28 for bail objection and hearing.
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Protestors upon learning about the court’s order became violent. As the accused persons were being transported in the police vehicles, intense scuffle broke out between agitators and security forces including RAF personnel who resorted to firing mock bombs, tear gas shells and even used electric shock batons to disperse the agitators. Womenfolk of Khwairamband Keithei have called cease work strike starting Wednesday until the unconditional release of the 6 accused.
Meanwhile, members of All Manipur Bar Association, AMBA condemned that security forces used ‘excessive measures’ inside the court complex. Advocate B. Supriya opined that adequate security measures should have been taken by the relevant authorities considering that the case is a sensitive one. She said, police could have produced the accused persons via video conferencing. She condemned that the court complex was defiled and asked who gave the permission to fire mock bombs inside the court complex.
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The accused persons are:
- Mayengbam Binod Singh, aged about 31 years, S/o M. Ibochaoba Singh of Waiton Makha Leikai, PS Heingang, Imphal East District, Manipur.
- Leitanthem Naoba Meitei, aged about 37 years, S/o late L.Binoy Meitei of Waitom mayai Leikai, PS Heingang,Imphal East District, Manipur.
- R.K. Sanjoy, aged about 37 years, S/o R.K. Sanahal of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, PS Porompat, Imphal East District, Manipur.
- Rajkumar Rody Singh, aged about 36 years, S/o late R.K.Thambalsana Singh of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, PS Porompat, Imphal East District, Manipur.
- Wangmayum Sanathoi, aged about 21 years, S/o W. Noor Hussain of KR Lane, New Checkon, PS Porompat, Imphal East District, Manipur.
- Sunir Phundreimayum, aged about 19 years, S/o Md. Sagir Ahamad of Lilong Mayai Leikai, A/P KR Lane, New Checkon, PS Porompat, Imphal East District, Manipur.
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Manipur police arrested them on February 14, and since then they have been in police custody. Police had also recovered four Insas Rifles, one AK Ghatak 2, magazines of SLR and 16 small boxes of 9 mm ammunition which are suspected to have been looted from the 5th IRB camp.
It maybe mentioned that on February 13 night, a violent mob including armed miscreants also tried to storm Manipur Police Training College, Pangei and security forces resorted to use of legal force during which one person succumbed to injuries and three others sustained injuries, according to Police.
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