Decrying the shooting of innocent people and acts of goondaism, a sit-in-protest was staged at Sega Road, Imphal West along Tiddim road, after which a huge number of people along with youths stormed the residence of former president of Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Manoharmayum Barish Sharma on Monday.
The Joint Action Committee members along with locals of Sega Road and volunteers of youth of Manipur took part in the demonstration.
Speaking on the sideline of the protest, a meira paibi told the media that the shooting and threatening people at gunpoint is highly condemnable. Any issues could be solved on the negotiating table. In the act of goondaism, those miscreants sprayed bullets towards the public, injuring five people including one woman, she added.
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“If armed miscreants started pointing their guns at people, then what would happen to innocent civilians?” she questioned.
JAC Convenor Chongtham Iboyaima said the armed miscreants are attempting to murder the innocent people and the government should deal with them seriously.
He said Barish is reportedly behind the crime and the government should book him immediately along with those accused persons who were directly involved in the incident.
JAC cautioned the state government that intensified agitations will be launched if the accused are not arrested in time.
Meanwhile, state police have arrested two persons involved during the incident. The arrested have been identified as one Ningombam Alex, 24, and Gurumayum Rayban, 27 both from Bhramapur Laljilakpa Leikai, Imphal East.
Convenor of the JAC further said Imphal Police Station is on chase of those accused, and he was told that police has all the details of the accused involved during the incident.
Later, JAC members, locals of 15 local clubs of Sega Road area along with volunteers of Youth of Manipur stormed the residence of Manoharmayum Barish Sharma located at Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Imphal East.
The mob asked local meira paibi of Wangkhei Angom Leikai to announce their stance on the issue.
After discussion among the meira paibi leaders of Wangkhei Angom Leikai, one of their executive members announced to the mob that Barish will be socially boycotted from the locality. She further announced that they will cooperate with the JAC to deliver justice for the victims.
However, the meira paibi could not confirm to the media whether the social boycott will be indefinite or for a certain period.
The family members of Barish agreed to the demand to bear the expenses for treatment of the victims.
The JAC, locals and youths demanded that Manoharmayum Barish Sharma should clarify to the people about the incident, and the state police should arrest him within two days.
The Imphal Free Press enquired the status of Manoharmayum Barish Sharma in the BJYM with its Manipur incharge K Sharatkumar.
He said that Manoharmayum Barish Sharma has been ‘relieved’ from the party and he is not related with the party.
It may be recalled that an order issued and signed by general secretary BJP Manipur Pradesh L Deben Singh on March 17 mentioned that “as directed by A Sharda Devi, Respected State President, BJP Manipur Pradesh, Manoharmayum Barish Sharma is relieved from all activities of BJYM, Manipur Pradesh with immediate effect.”
The youth in-charge further told the IFP that he does not have any knowledge of the two arrested persons in connection with the incident or if they are members of BJYM or not.
At present Deshraj Yumnam has been taking state president in-charge, BJYM Manipur Pradesh after Manoharmayum Barish Sharma was relieved from the activities of the party.
