IMPHAL, November 5: The dead body of a male identified later to be that of the Imphal East asst division secretary of the proscribed outfit PLA one Hijam Babu was found this early morning from Ukhrul.
Locals say that Hijam Babu was arrested from his locality on November 2 by Imphal East police commandos who had come in civvies and in uniform.
His dead body was recovered from near Lunghar village about 25 Kms northeast of Ukhrul PS along the Jessami road; even as a sit in protest demanding his release was being staged at his locality.
The dead PLA cadre has been identified as Hijam Babu, 33 son of (L) Sitol of Andro Kharam Leikai.
According to the Ukhrul Police, a bullet ridden dead body was found this morning around 7:30am at a place along the NH 150 about 1 km from reaching Lunghar village.
The dead body had two bullet holes on the back of his head. No empty cases of bullets were found near the body, the police source informed.
It is also learnt that the body was found wearing a black and white t-shirt, a blue jeans and a camouflage hunting boots.
Meanwhile, relatives of Hijam Babu at Ukhrul have already confirmed that the dead body belongs to Babu.
His body is being kept at the Ukhrul Police Station and post mortem could be conducted tomorrow either at the Ukhrul district hospital or at Imphal tomorrow, the police source added.
Meanwhile, unaware with the recovery of the dead body this early morning; locals of Andro came out and staged a sit in protest at the Market shed, Andro Bazar demanding his release today.
The sit in protest organized by the All Manipur Meira paibi Association had started since 8am.
A protestor identified as Chingangbam Thambalngoubi Devi, 42 wife of Ch Kheda Singh of Andro Kharam Leikai told media persons that on the evening of November 2, around 6:45, Hijam Babu had come into her house asking for some drinking water. He had told her that he was with two friends who were thirsty at which she gave him some drinking water.
She further said that the two friends were in civvies and had come along on a two wheeler.
Even before he could hand over the water to his friends, a red Bolero, a white Bolero and two Maruti Gypsies swerved suddenly and stopped before them.
Soon enough, individuals wearing police commando uniforms and some others in civvies nabbed Babu and hurried away in the vehicles. During all the commotion, the two friends also vanished from the scene, she said.
Meanwhile, several protestors echoed that Hijam Babu was arrested by Imphal East Police commandos in civvies and in uniform before he was found dead.
The protestors continued that a report on his arrest had already been filed with the Yairipok PS yesterday.
During the demonstration, protestors held placards urging all concern to release Hijam Babu and to make clarification on the issue.
Locals said that Hijam Babu has been an RPF/PLA cadre since the past 15-16 years; however he had been at his home since about seven-eight months back on leave from the outfit. He had eloped with a girl and was waiting to be married soon, the locals added.
After news about the recovery of his dead body reached the sit in protest venue, the protestors had intensified the protest.
A team of the 28 AR had also arrived during the sit in protest and said the team was trying to trace Hijam Babu after getting information about his arrest.