An inmate of Th Biren Rehabilitation Centre at Top Siphai under Wangoi Police Station in Imphal West died under suspicious circumstances on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as one Tekcham Joyshanker alias Thambou, 37, son of (L) T Khomei of Khongjom Papal Mayai Leikai. He was a daily wage earner and living with his mother.
His family alleged murder as the cause of his death.
According to his relatives, two persons had been urging his mother to put him at Th Biren Rehabilitation Centre. The two persons came again on Sunday at 7.30 pm and took Joyshanker to the rehab centre by assuring his family that the fees can be paid later after a month, considering their poor condition, they said.
His mother, though unwilling to send him away, gave in to their repeated assurance of helping him stop his drinking habit and let them take him, they added.
In the morning, the next day, when she called them over the phone and inquired of his son, she was told that they had given him breakfast with eggs, his relatives said.
However, the said two persons, namely Sapam Olen alias Maklu,28, son of Biren from Khongjom Bazar and Heikrujam Robinsana, 25, son of Dhana came to his house on Wednesday around 3.15 pm and announced that Joyshanker fell ill and was admitted at RIMS, and further asked his family to visit the patient.
The family members along with the duo arrived at RIMS Casualty only to find his lifeless body. Olen and Robinsana immediately fled from the scene and their phones have been switched off, they said. The duo still remains at large, they added.
In connection with the case, Wangoi Police Station has registered an UD case.
According to police, the rehabilitation centre is run by one Thoudam Chinglensana, son of Th Dhiren of Shamushang Shantipur. As many as 26 inmates are lodged at the Centre at present.
A post mortem examination was conducted on the body with video coverage on Thursday. However, the body is still kept at RIMS Mortuary.
The family members alleged that Joyshanker was beaten to death by those running the centre. Bruise marks were found on his hands, feet, back etc. while blood clots were also found on his mouth.
