IMPHAL, February 29: The death of an assistant teacher today, after he had allegedly suffered a severe beating from some NSCN IM cadres last evening, conjured up a mob who went on a rampage and set three houses and some vehicles on fire.
The deceased is identified as assistant teacher of Molnom Junior high School Ts Thongkhogin Haokip alias Ts Agin, 54, son of (L) Ts Holkhojang Haokip of Molnom Village.
Following his death today after he was allegedly kidnapped and beaten by NSCN IM cadres last evening in Aimol Satu Village under Tengnoupal Police Station, a large mob of Molnom and Molnoi areas stormed into Aimol Satu Village today and went on a rampage.
The mob also prevented and prohibited the entry of the 20 Assam Rifles personnel into the villager, accusing the Assam Rifles of colluding with the NSCN IM militants.
A large number of Molnom and Molnoi villagers who had brought the body of the deceased alongwith them, demanded the Aimol Satu Village to hand over the culprits involved in the beating.
Since the authority of the Aimol Satu Village failed to come out for talks, the enraged mob dismantled the village gate and went to the house where the assistant teacher was beaten last evening.
According to sources, as the mob approached the house, some well-armed militants fired towards the mob, at which the police personnel guarding the mob retaliated. However, there is no report of any casualty during the gun-fire.
The enraged mob then attacked the house and set three houses and two vehicles including a two-wheeler on fire. The police however doused off the fire.
At the same time protesting the death of the assistant teacher, the Imphal-Moreh highway was also blocked by a mob since early this morning.
A large number of police personnel from Thoubal and Chandel district including the Chandel SP also rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, according to the wife of the deceased Ts Nengneichong Haokip, her husband was returning from Pallel when he was abducted by the suspected NSCN IM militants at Aimol Satu Village and brutally beaten up.
He arrived home last midnight and succumbed this early morning, she added.
Meanwhile, a joint meeting was also held in connection with the incident between representatives of the State government and the public leaders of the area at Molnoi Village late evening.
During the meeting, the public leaders agreed to withdraw its mass agitation including bandh after being assured by the State government representatives to nab and book the culprits involved in the crime within 24 hours.
Chandel DC Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, Chandel SP N Herojit and 20 AR CO Col Anil Mathew attended the meeting from the side of the government.