A Maruti Alto 800 (MN01K3353) was mysteriously hit by a bullet while traveling along NH-102 from Wangjing, in front of 3rd IRB Battalion gate at Khangabok under Thoubal Station in Thoubal District on Tuesday.
The bullet struck the driver’s side windshield and also damaged the car’s left-side fuel tank.
As per sources, the incident occurred around 9.20 am. The passengers who narrowly escaped the shooting were identified as Sagolsem Rohit, 38, son of (L) Nabachandra, his wife Bijilata, 37, and their two children, Phireppa, 7, and a 2-year-old Ningthibi.
Rohit, an Indian Air Force employee who is currently on leave since October 26, was driving, with his wife and younger daughter in the front seat and his son in the back.
Speaking to the media, Bijilata said that they were heading to a hospital in Imphal for a routine check-up.
When reaching in front of the 3rd IRB gate, they heard a loud noise. They immediately stopped, and a nearby shopkeeper informed them that smoke was coming from the back of their car. Upon inspection, they discovered the bullet damage.
Residents in the area claimed that the shot was fired by BSF personnel stationed at the 3rd IRB gate.
Following the incident, aggrieved residents, along with members of various local clubs and Meira Paibis from Wangjing and Khangabok, staged a sit-in protest near the IRB gate.
They submitted a memorandum to Thoubal DC Ahanthem Subash, SP Rakesh Balwan, and 3rd IRB CO S Hemanta, demanding to reveal the army number and details of the BSF personnel involved and called for the removal of BSF from the battalion.
The memorandum also called for the suspension of the involved BSF personnel, compensation of Rs 5 lakh to Rohit, and coverage of all car repair expenses by those responsible.
A team from Thoubal police, led by OC Phulchand, conducted an investigation. However, no FIR had been registered till the time of filing this report.
