THOUBAL, January 19: Thoubal Police have arrested two including a minor for interrogation in connection with the death of Md Firoj in a hospital following a reported mob beating on January 14 night for allegedly trying to break open shops at Khangabok Bazar.
Thokchom Heramani Singh, 30, son of Th Angada Singh presently serving as a driver of the 3rd IRB was arrested along with the minor, informed sources. Both of them are from Khangabok Bazar.
The two were arrested late last night from their respective houses.
Meanwhile, the police action invited much uproar with locals imposing a bandh along the NH 2 (Imphal-Moreh) at Khangabok Bazar since early this morning.
The protestors insisted that the police cannot arrest innocent civilians and demanded immediate release.
The protestors held that Firoj was trying to break open shops and had succumbed only after the public tried to discipline him.
Later Thoubal ZP adhyaksha Kh Surnalata and pradhan accompanied local club members and met the SP. The road block was lifted around 11 am after the SP assured that the two were not arrested as suspects but for interrogation in connection with the case.
Soon after the meeting with the SP, Surnalata chaired a public meeting at the Khangabok bazaar and formed a JAC against the arrest of the two.
The meeting further resolved that the public will not remain silent unless the two arrested are released without any condition and will take further course of agitations in case they are not released.