IMPHAL, November 9: Singjamei Police took a giant step in solving the murder of Hawaibam Meghachandra with the arrest of his brother-in-law Arambam Rogen who had reportedly confessed to the crime.
Police have already arrested Rogen, 48, son of late Ibocha of Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong, who is married to the deceased’s younger sister Padmini. He was arrested from his residence at around 4.30 pm.
Interestingly, Rogen had been actively involved in the agitation demanding the arrest of the perpetrators of the murder and in fact was part of the delegation that met deputy chief minister Gaikhangam in this connection at his office chamber yesterday.
Police sources have revealed that the accused who was a business partner of the deceased had confessed to committing the crime over financial matters related to a contract work for the construction of Lilong to Shamurou road.
The accused reportedly had a heated argument with the deceased over monetary issues on the night of November 4. However, things turned ugly when the verbal exchanges got physical. A brief tussle broke out between the two wherein the accused hit Meghachandra with a sharp weapon on his chin killing him on the spot, said the sources. Later, the body was dumped in the Imphal River some 100 meter away from where the body of Meghachandra was recovered. But, he denied having use a gun while committing the crime.
It may be mentioned that the body of Hawaibam Meghachandra @ Megha, 51, son of Omor of Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong was fish out from Imphal River near Haoreibi Water Supply in the early morning of November 5 with bullet wounds on his body.
As report spread that Rogen was arrested for his involvement in the murder, an angry mob along with the JAC members stormed towards his house and dismantled it completely. Later the property was set on fire.
The body of Meghachandra was claimed by family members yesterday.