Tension escalated on Sunday after clash erupted between womenfolk of Sekmai and police personnel over the alleged arrest of an individual during the day by persons suspected to be central forces between Pheidinga and Tendongyan under Sekmai Police Station in Imphal West district.
The arrested individual has been identified as one 47-year-old Gurumayum Ingocha, son of G Kritichandra of Khamaran Awang Leikai under Sekmai Police Station. He is reportedly missing.
According to sources, Ingocha reportedly went to Sekmai on his Royal Enfield bearing registration number MN04G/2801 around 7 am Sunday.
Shortly after, he was allegedly arrested by persons suspected to be central forces who came in a Maruti Gypsy from the Pheidinga-Tendongyan border area around 7:15 am. His bike was found near Tendongyan.
The sources also said that a close friend of Ingocha reportedly received a phone call from Ingocha around 10:30 am, stating that he had reached home safe and sound.
Suspicious over the unexpected call, Ingocha’s friend called him back but his number was switched off. Immediately, Ingocha’s wife, G Roma (40) filed a missing report at the Sekmai Police Station.
Following the news of the arrest, womenfolk stormed Sekmai Police Station around 1 pm, demanding the whereabouts of Ingocha. The irate mob even dismantled the PS signboard and started breaking window panes around 4:50 pm.
Upon hearing the news, SP Imphal West S Ibomcha rushed to Sekmai police station around 5:48 pm.
To manage the situation, police resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the mob, during which four civilians sustained injuries. They were taken to PHC Sekmai for necessary treatment.
Meanwhile, the police, after tracing the location of the mobile number of Ingocha, found that it was last located near Motbung area in Kangpokpi district.
The mob later gathered at Khonghampat, Phedinga Leikinthabi and Koirengei areas and banned passage to movement of central forces on the highway.
