IMPHAL, February 27: A police personnel and a woman were injured today in a face-off between the police and locals agitating the custodial death of a 37 year old man inside the Wangoi Police Station yesterday.
Locals of Wangoi Makha Leikai led by the JAC formed in connection with the custodial death of Thoudam Digbijoy demonstrated since early this morning.
The protestor tried to storm the police station for the second consecutive day demanding proper investigation in the death. The protestors pelted stones at the police in their bid to storm the police station.
37 year old Digbijoy was found dead, in a suspicious manner yesterday early morning inside the Wangoi Police Lock-up with his shirt making a noose around his neck and tied to the door.
His father had called a press conference yesterday alleging foul play.
Digbijoy was arrested on February 23, last by the police on a complaint filed by the family of a woman with whom he had eloped recently even though he was already married and have three children, the father had lamented.
The locals staged a sit in protest today starting from early morning decrying the death and demanding action against all involved personnel.
Around 4pm, the protestors proceeded towards the police station and tried to storm inside the police station while pelting stones.
An ugly confrontation ensued between the police and the protestors after the protestors tried to force their way into the police barricade.
In their bid to control the mob, the police resorted to firing tear gas shells.
Assitant sub-inspector Somorjit of Wangoi Police was hit on the head by a stone.
A woman protestor identified as Thoudam Inaobi, 24, wife of Premjit a relative of the deceased also received minor injuries.
Meanwhile, a JAC was formed yesterday during an emergency meeting of the locals held in their locality.
A woman protestor told media persons that the locals strongly condemn the death in police custody.
“Police station is not a killing field,” she asserted.
She further demanded proper investigation, justice for the victim’s family and termination of the police personnel found involved in the incident.
The protestor also highlighted the desire of the locals to involve a doctor from their side during the post mortem of the body.
She demanded the examination of the body should be conducted in the presence of a magistrate and full video coverage.
The body continues to lie at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences morgue since yesterday evening as an unclaimed dead body.