THOUBAL, August 4: Yairipok continues to reel under tension today over the suspected killing of Lourembam (o) Ranjita, with local residents coming out on the streets since early morning to block the Yairipok-Imphal road.
The situation worsened in the afternoon when locals tried to storm the Yairipok Police Station around 3, following which police fired tear gas shells in their bid to control the mob.
Around 15 protestors were injured in the police firing.
Lourembam Ranjita Devi, 33, wife of L Loken Singh of Yairipok Khoirom Mathak was found dead at their Kakmayai Mamang Loukol field under Yairipok Police during a manhunt Saturday night launched after she failed to return from the fields.
Meanwhile, the JAC formed in connection with the incident has also geared up to launch severe forms of agitations.
A large mob had gathered at the Yairipok Angtha since early this morning blocking the Yairipok-Imphal road. The mob then proceeded till Yairipok Bazar and closed down all shops.
As the angered locals tried to proceed further towards Yairipok Khoirom, police blocked their way at Bamon Leikai. Around 9.30 am, another mob proceeded from Khoirom towards Yairipok bazar. The two groups converged at the Yairipok Bazar and staged a sit in protest on the middle of the road.
Around 3.30pm, the mob tried to storm the police station demanding the police to produce the individuals who had been arrested by the police earlier alleging them to be Ranjita’s killers.
The police fired several tear gas shells and smoke bombs injuring at least 15 protestors.
Amongst those injured, Ksh Gopen Singh, 42, son of Ksh Nikchai Singh and Ksh Basanti Devi, 60, wife of (L) Mani Singh were first admitted at the Yairipok CHC, but were referred to RIMS.
