One more suspect in the alleged murder of Korimayum Abdullah was arrested by Thoubal district police, while police clashed with protesters at Yairipok, Thoubal, and the JAC declared a statewide 48-hour general strike from May 27.
According to sources, the suspect namely Md Aslam alias Ningthou, 30, son of Abdul Kalam from Moijing, had been arrested by the Thoubal police in connection with the murder of Abdullah from Yairipok Changamdabi in Thoubal.
Meanwhile, demanding justice to the alleged murder of Abdullah, protesters from Yairipok Changamdabi took out a rally towards the Lilong Police Station. When the Lilong police attempted to stop the protesters, a clash between the police and the protesters broke out near Yairipok Azad Higher Secondary School.
In the clash which lasted for about 20 minutes, the protesters got the better of the police and moved forward to the Lilong Police Station. With another failed attempt to stop the protester at Thoubal Keithel, the Lilong police resorted to firing of teargas cells, mock bombs when the rally reached Waithou.
Teargas shells and mock bombs reportedly injured three people, including two women.
Speaking on the occasion, JAC co-convenor Mk Reihen recalled the JAC’s demands, and condemned the police authority for allegedly negligence and denial of timely action for the issue. He said that the protesters took out a rally to the Lilong Police Station in order to observe a sit-in protest in a democratic manner, but the efforts were in vain owing to the interference by the police.
Demanding justice for the death of Abdullah, a release by the convenor of the JAC declared a statewide 48 hour general strike from 5 am of May 29 till 5 am of May 29. During the general strike, services including religious ceremony, medical emergencies, press, emergency situation and drinking water services will be exempted, it added.
It stated that the JAC had submitted statements and memorandums to chief minister N Biren and the authorities concerned, and condemned the alleged negligence and silence of the police authorities.
It accused the police for being biased with the issue, as they took up the rape case against Abdullah on May 20 while allegedly neglecting the missing report for Abdullah from May 18 till 22.
It demanded for a magisterial enquiry to be taken up against the responsible Lilong Police Station. It also cautioned that the JAC along with the public of the state will launch stronger movements if the authorities denied their demands.
If any political figures were found to be involved in meddling with the case, the release cautioned that the JAC is prepared to take up severe steps against them.
Meanwhile, Yairipok Ningthounai locals took out a rally condemning the alleged murder of Korimayum Abdullah on Tuesday evening. The rally was organised by Manipur Muslim Welfare organisation (MMWO), Ningthounai branch; Integrated Youth Development Organisation (IYDO) Ningthounai; Ningthounai Youth Organisation (NYO); Social Development Union (SODU) Ningthounai; and Chingya Peoples’ Club (CPC), along with the JAC for the death of Abdullah.
During the rally, the protesters shouted slogans such as, ‘We condemn murder of Abdullah’, ‘Punish the murderers’, ‘We condemn the biasness towards the murderer while denying justice for the victim’, ‘We want justice’, ‘Justice for Abdullah’, and ‘Release Abdullah’s innocent friends’.
