In a shocking incident, a teenager appearing in the ongoing Class XII examination conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Examination Manipur (COHSEM) was shot dead by unidentified miscreants at Sharon Veng, Motbung model village in Kangpokpi district on Saturday around 8.30 pm
The victim, identified as Seigunlal Misao (17), was the only son and single child of Lenkhothang Misao of Sharon veng, Motbung village. Seigunlal Misao, a student of Damdei Christian College, Taloulong, was shot dead by unknown miscreants a few metres away from his residence with the motive behind the killing yet to be ascertained.
Following the incident, an unpleasant and heated environment erupted at Motbung model village as enraged mobs resorted to disrupting traffic flow along the National Highway 2.
CCTV installed at Letpao Healthcare Centre captured the movement of some individuals including a lady in two-wheelers but was not very clear to identify.
According to denizens of Motbung village, the deceased Seigunlal Misao had a good moral character and was very luminous in his studies. Son of a paralyzed father, the victim was brought up by his mother who worked in a quarry to support his studies.
It was reported that the unknown miscreants had absconded the scene after committing the crime with a two-wheeler heading towards the Imphal side.
Kangpokpi police, led by SP Th. Vikramjit Singh, immediately swung into action in controlling the infuriated huge mobs while the forensic department arrived at the spot at around 12:30 am to take stock of the situation. Later, the dead body was recovered by Kangpokpi police and deposited at the RIMS morgue for post-mortem.
In the morning, a Joint Action Committee was constituted to spearhead the issue, and a sit-in protest was held at Motbung model village under the aegis of the JAC demanding the state Government and authorities concerned nab the culprits at the earliest.
A lightning bandh was also enforced along National Highway 2 from 9.30 am on Sunday morning disrupting the movement of vehicles at Motbung.
Hundreds of protestors in the sit-in protest shouted slogans, "we want justice", "nab the culprits at the earliest", etc. while holding placards that read, "we condemn soulless and inhumane act", "justice for Seigunlal Misao", "justice delayed is justice denied", "we will not rest until the murderers are caught", "he is just 17, shame on you murderers", "today is Seigunlal, tomorrow????", "Book the culprits", "we shall mourn until justice is delivered", etc.
The lightning bandh volunteers were seen burning tyres, laying stones, benches, etc. along the highway and strictly scrutinising the airport, hospital, and other emergency services vehicles.
Speaking to the media, Motbung Village Authority Member, Lamkholen Singsit said that they strongly condemned the merciless killing of Seigunlal Misao and demanded the state Government and law enforcement agencies to nab the culprits at the earliest.
While narrating the deprived condition of the deceased family, Lamkholen Singsit urged the state government to look into the impoverished condition of the deceased family.
Motbung Meira Paibi secretary Konsam Ongbi Ranjana Devi said that they condemned the brutal murder of Seigunlal Misao in the strongest terms and strongly demanded to nab the culprits at the earliest.
Hhe continued that if the culprits are not booked at the earliest, they will endorse and support the JAC movement at all costs to deliver justice to the victim and his family.
Local MLA Haokholet Kipgen also visited the victim's family and shared the pain and grief while conveying that he stands with them during their difficult times.
The MLA also met with the protesters and the JAC along with the local bodies of Motbung and convened a joint meeting with the district administration, and the district police at the Motbung village chief's residence.
After the meeting, the MLA urged the agitating mobs to calm down and relax the lightning bandh while assuring them to convey the matter to the Chief Minister.
JAC Convenor Paominlun Lhouvum termed the incident as 'barbaric and cowardice' and condemned it in the strongest terms.
He also clarified that the lightning bandh was enforced out of anger and to draw the attention of the government and it was not with the intent to suffer innocent commuters.
Highlighting their demands, the JAC Convenor said it includes nabbing the culprits, providing appropriate ex-gratia to the deceased family, and suitable government jobs to the deceased mother.
Later, after a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the JAC Convenor said that the CM assured to nab the culprits within three days while adding that in case the culprits are not booked within three days then the agitation will resume.
Regarding the charter of demands, the JAC Convenor said that owing to Sunday being a holiday, the chief minister told us to meet on Monday and discussed it in the presence of the concerned department.
Meanwhile, Thadou Students' Association Sadar Hills, KSO Sadar Hills, Hangmi Students' Union and many other civil society organizations condemned the brutal killing of Seigunlal Misao.
