A civilian was shot dead and 10 others were injured in an intense clash between an irate mob and 3rd IRB Battalion personnel at Khangabok in Thoubal district on Tuesday.
As per eyewitnesses, a major scuffle broke out in Thoubal district at around 10 am after a large number of village volunteers from Heirok, Wangjing, Wangbal and Khangabok stormed the IRB Battalion, demanding for bullets; womenfolk also joined the village volunteers at the battalion.
The IRB, BSF and Thoubal commando personnel fired tear gas shells and guns to disperse the mob at around 11:30 am. But the mob, once again, stormed the battalion with the security forces firing tear gas shells, guns and mock bombs at them around 2 pm for the second time.
As per sources, an IRB personnel identified as Rupachandra allegedly shot a civilian in his head near Wangbal, 150 metres away from the IRB post. 10 others were also injured in the clash with the security forces.
The deceased was identified as one 27-year-old Abujam Ronaldo, son of (L) Ibungo of Heirok part (iii) Kabo Leikai.
Those injured included one Khundrakpam Naresh (21), Shusil (45), Laishram Sanjoi (26), Ningthoujam David (36), Ningthoujam Nareshkanta (16), Khundrakpam Raj (15) - all from Khangabok; N. Nandajit (40) of Luker Maning leikai, Ningthoujam Johny (26) of Heirok, N. Naoton (26) of Charangpat and L. Lukhoi (40) of Wangbal. They are undergoing treatment at Thoubal District hospital.
Sources said that Ronaldo was taken to Thoubal district hospital, but was referred to RIMS due to serious condition and he succumbed to his injuries on the way to RIMS hospital. Eyewitness claimed that Ronaldo was allegedly shot on his head in cold blood.
Intense agitators later set ablaze the house of the accused IRB personnel at Samaram Mayai Leikai at around 3:30 pm. The accused is 37-year-old Irengbam Rupachandra, son of Brindaban.
An eyewitness strongly condemned the chief minister for his inability to contain the prevailing unrest in the state. He questioned how the chief minister would feel if a similar incident happened to his family members.
Additional forces of Assam Rifles (AR) and Rapid Action Police Force (RAF) came to the site to help the IRB personnel in dispersing the mob. In the process, an AR personnel also received a bullet injury on his leg during the clash, said sources. The aggrieved mob also set ablaze an army vehicle at Khangabok.
The IRB post has been kept under strict security vigilance and the national highway has been totally blocked starting from Thoubal Athokpam till Wangbal.
A JAC has been formed in relation to Ronaldo’s death after a mass meeting at KDA club ground Heirok and took various resolutions. Retaliating to the news of Ronaldo’s death, people of Heirok also stormed the Heirok police station.
Meanwhile, district magistrate Thoubal District Ahanthem Subash, IAS, issued an order notifying that curfew in the district will be shortened from 5 am till 2:30 pm.
On Monday, a 35-year-old man was injured following a firing between armed miscreants at Khoijumantabi hill range under PS Kumbi in Bishnupur district.
According to Central Police Control Room, information was received from 2nd OC Kumbi early Tuesday morning at 7:50 that on Monday, at about 5 pm, firing between armed miscreants was reported at Khoijumantabi hill range under PS Kumbi in Bishnupur district. The 2nd OC further reported that intermittent firing continued in the adjoining village.
During the firing, one Langgoljam Suman Meitei (35), son of late L Saratchandra Meitei was injured, the police said.
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