IMPHAL, July 22: Locals and meira paibis of Kyamgei led by the Kyamgei Youth Pioneer Club today staged a sit in protest decrying the action of the state police in releasing 3 individuals involved in the July 17 incident.
The sit in protest was held at the Kyamgei Heibong Makhong.
The demonstrating locals also demanded action against the three who had allegedly fired from their licence guns on July 17 around 11:30pm.
Speaking to media persons at the sidelines of the demonstration, the president of the youth club, L Suranjoy said after the cracks were discovered on the Pal Ahanbi over the Leishang Hiden, the government along with the local people had started work on a diversion bridge as temporary arrangement.
The cracks were first reported on July 15 by several local dailies.
Even as work on the temporary arrangement was in full swing, on July 19 one Khuraijam Johnson, 23 son of (L) Mohan of Kyamgei Awang Leikai a personnel of the 5th IRB attached to the CDO Imphal West had wanted to pass through, however when the locals stopped him an altercation broke out.
Meanwhile Johnson’s cousin Kh John, 26 son of Ibohal who is also a personnel of the 5th IRB and Kh Rajeshkumar, son of Kh Ibotombi arrived at the spot and entered into the altercation with the locals, he continued.
Later at 11pm, a joint meeting was held by the locals in the presence of the three cousins and their family members wherein the three tendered unconditional apology.
Thereafter, about 5/10 minutes later, Khuraijam Johnson and John fired 4/5 rounds of gun shots.
The matter was telephonically reported to the Irilbung Police station, he continued.
Within a short period of time a combined team of CDO/Imphal East and Irilbung police came and apprehended Johnson and John at around 1am on July 20.
He further continued that he himself lodged a formal written complaint at the Irilbung Police station which was duly received by on ASI Md Islauddin.
He continued that instead of taking them into custody by registering a police case, the police station set free the two individuals.
He said the club members and the local will continue to press the concerned authorities to take up the case at the earliest.