Imphal, Feb. 22: A policeman was killed and another injured during a brawl here last night, triggering sharp protests by the victim’s neighbours.
Constable Thomas L. Kamei, a resident of Langol Lai Manai, died on his way to hospital while sub-inspector Suresh Singh was admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in a critical condition.
Police said the two were assaulted by some persons at 9pm when they were not on duty.
“We have picked up some suspects, but we have not arrested anyone in connection with the case. Investigations are on,” a police officer at Imphal police station said.
Those picked up include three friends of the dead constable who are residents of Langol Lai Manai in Imphal West.
The residents of Langol Lai Manai today staged a sit-in , protesting the killing of the constable.
They formed a joint action committee to take up the matter with the government.
The action committee demanded punishment to the culprits, adequate compensation for the bereaved family and a government job for a relative of the dead constable.
“We will not accept the body until the demands are fulfilled,” the president of the action committee, A. Kamei, said, adding that the three picked up should be released as they were innocent.
The police said the three were picked up from the spot after a fight between the two policemen and some unknown persons.
Kamei maintained that the three were going to the Chingmeirong area of the city to attend a church programme.
“They might have met the constable on the way as they were known to each other. But we do not believe that the three were involved in the fight,” he said.
The action committee is likely to submit a memorandum to chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who holds the home portfolio.
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