As Manipur is facing unrest due to the violence that broke out on May 3, unknown miscreants on Wednesday night fired a shot at a residence of a man involved in betel leaves business.
The incident took place at around 7.40 pm on Wednesday at the residence of one Huyam Chitaranjan Singh, 56, son of H Kunjobabu of Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai, Imphal West. Being in a betel leaves business, it is expected that the shot may be due to a clash in the betel leaves business.
Chitaranjan said that he has been doing a small betel leaves business since the COVID-19 pandemic and that for the last three-four months, a group of syndicates on betel leaves have been issuing life threat to stop the business.
The syndicate group is doing the same betel leaves business but on a large scale by getting permits and paying illegal tax, Chitaranjan alleged, adding that he is doing the business on a small scale at his residence and that he does not pay any illegal tax to any group.
Chitaranjan also said that one Nungleppam William from Irengban, Kakching district and Khangembam Raju from Keishamthong Hodam Leirak, Imphal West from the group called him frequently on his phone and threatened him to stop the business or that they would kill him.
Eyewitness reported that the two miscreants were seen fleeing the incident towards the western side of the road on a motorcycle. He said any misunderstanding could be solved on a negotiating table and there was no need to threaten his family.
Although no casualties were reported, there’s a bullet mark on the gate of Chitaranjan’s residence, apparently marked by the bullet fired.
An FIR has been lodged at Imphal Police Station demanding the accused persons are arrested while urging the concerned authorities to provide safety protection.
