Fresh violence unfolded in Manipur on the first day of 2024 with armed miscreants shooting four persons dead and leaving 14 injured at Lilong Chingjao under Lilong Police Station in Thoubal district around 7.30 pm on Monday.
According to police, the tragic incident occurred as armed miscreants in combat dress came to the residence of Md Hasan in Lilong Chingjao, Thoubal District, under Lilong Police Station and later opened fire after a tussle.
Additionally, it has been reported that several vehicles, believed to have been used by the miscreants, were set on fire by an enraged mob as a reaction to the tragic incident. The dead bodies were deposited to JNIMS Mortuary and their particulars are as follows: Md Doulat, 35, son of Md Jalaluddin of Sangaiyumpham; Makakmayum Sirajuddin, 50, son of Late Lehajuddin of Lilong Nungei Ching; Md Azad khan, 40, son of Md Noorjaman of Lilong chingjao Maning Leikai; Md Hussain, 22, son of Late Habibur of Lilong Tamyai.
Among the injured, 10 have been admitted to Raj medicity while one is being treated at Noor Hospital Lilong.
Several CSOs have raised vehement condemnations against the incident. A public meeting was also held at Itola Farm, Lilong Tamyai in connection with the firing incident.
Considering the sensitivity of the case, the state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident.
An order issued on Tuesday by senior Superintendent of Police, Thoubal District, Manipur IPS Rakesh Balwal stated that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will appraise him on the progress of investigation of the case twice daily in the morning and evening.
The team is led by MPS, SDPO, Yairipok Md Riyajuddin Shah as chairman.
It consists of inspector MAG Masood, RI, Thoubal, inspector N Suresh Singh, OC Khongjom Police Station; SI Md Anwar Hussain of Lilong Police Station; SI S Bhubon Singh of Lilong Police Station and SI N Thomas Singh, in charge, Cyber Crime Unit Thoubal as members, as per the order.
Our Thoubal Correspondent has added that the meeting was attended by Anjuman Ishalah-e Muashra Manipu, President Moulana Kayamuddim KUCMA VP Angomcha Meinou Epa, FOCS president Th Manihar, COCOMI president Jitendra Ningomba, Anjuman secy Md Habibullah, UMPC advisor Islam Makakcha, advocate Rabi Khan, advocate Zakir, TAKDAL president Y Bheigachandra, Forum for Restoration of Peace Manipur convenor Ashang Kasar etc.
The meeting unequivocally condemned the shooting that occurred in Lilong Chingjao, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals and injuries to fourteen others.
There was a collective call on the state government to apprehend the culprits within 48 hours, impose fitting punishments, and transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
Recognition was given to MLAs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and public leaders who played a commendable role in preventing the deliberate spread of rumors related to the unfortunate incident. The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the unity and integrity of Manipur, as per sources.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against Mass Killing & Brutal Acts at Lilong Chingjao on 1st January, 2024, was formed during the meeting.
In case any state organisation seeks to address anti-social elements in and around Lilong area, the concerned party is to inform elected members, clubs, and CSOs of the locality, the meeting concluded.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited the victims’ family and interacted with the bereaved family members.
While expressing his words of condolence to the victim’s family, he assured to nab the culprits and take stringent action against them as per the law. He informed that he had also visited the injured persons being treated at Raj Medicity and further stated that the Government would bear expenses of their treatment.
He was accompanied by ministers, MLAs, deputy commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Thoubal district.
The JAC formed against the incident have submitted a memorandum to the chief minister against the incident, listing a charter of demands.
It demanded that the investigation of this incident must be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and no other voluntary or independent organisation should be allowed to enter in the Meitei-Pangal inhabited areas of Manipur afterwards.
It demanded that the state government must permit the formation of Meitei-Pangal Village Protection Force (MPVPF) in all Meitei-Pangal inhabited areas of Manipur with immediate effect.
It further demanded that Rs. 20 lakh per death victim should be paid as Ex-gratia by the Govt. of Manipur immediately and 2 lakh per injured victim should be paid and all the expenditure incurred for the treatment of the injured persons should be borne by the state govt till recovery.
It also demanded suitable govt jobs to the kin of the victims who had been killed, and cautioned that the dead bodies shall not be taken by the relatives and the JAC if the if the demands are not fulfilled within 48 hours, and the JAC, in consultation with the CSO’s of Manipur may launched further agitation regarding the incident.
The United Meitei-Pangal Committee (UMPC), Manipur strongly condemned the Lilong Chingjao incident and the communal misrepresentation.
UMPC Manipur deeply condoles with the families, who have lost their loved ones, and prays for their strength to withstand forthcoming challenges and for the speedy recovery of the injured, stated a release.
UMPC Manipur supports the JAC in all democratic protests and steps against the mass killing of Lilong Chingjao and also urges justice from the concerned authorities and handover this case to NIA without any further delay, it added.
It further stated that the UMPC Manipur is also alarmed by the activities of those who either ignorantly or deliberately attempts to misrepresent the unfortunate incident as a communal clash, it mentioned.
