Alleging the police of failing to trace the facts behind the killing of a student, Ningthoujam Rohit and the assault on his father by miscreants in a poll-related violence that took place at Heirok on December 21, a large group of disgruntled women stormed the Heirok Police station in protest on Monday.
The protesting women shouted slogans such as ‘Police who failed to find out the truth need not stay at Heirok’, ‘Police who could not seize illegal firearm leave Heirok’, ‘We will protect Heirok on our own’ etc.
Before storming the Police station, the ‘JAC against the Brutal killing of N Rohit Heirok’ organised a public meeting at the ground of Heirok Part-II Mayai Leikai Primary School, demanding the facts behind the killing of Rohit.
Those who attended the public meeting raised placards that read, ‘Charge sheets must be registered against the accused persons immediately’, ‘NSA must be slapped against those in possession of illegal arms’, ‘the firearm used in the killing must be immediately seized’ etc.
Following the public meeting, the protesters headed straight towards Heirok Police Station, shouting slogans. The protesters placed a tree before the gate to block it, and burned tyres and blocked the road as well.
Later, a large consignment of Thoubal police arrived at the spot and attempted to bring the situation under control. Six members of the JAC were selected to negotiate with the OC of Heirok Police; however, no agreement could be reached.
The protesters continued to wait till late hours, resolving to negotiate with the leader of the SIT, which was formed in connection with the death, Sachidananda Soibam and the investigating officer of the case.
Speaking to the media, Khungongbam ongbi Shini who took part in today’s public meeting expressed that the public is suspicious concerning what kind of investigation is being undertaken by the police department after the arrest of six accused in connection with the killing.
The people have lost their faith in the ongoing investigation since the firearm used in the killing has not been seized so far, she said.
Further expressing that those involved in the killing must be awarded stringent punishments to prevent such crimes from happening again in the future, she cautioned that the public shall take up democratic forms of protest unless charge sheets are registered against the six accused within 45 days.
