In another case of lynching in the northeastern region, a man has been lynched in Manipur’s Imphal West district for allegedly stealing vehicles.
A police official reportedly said five persons have been arrested for being involved in the lynching incident. However, two associates of the victim managed to escape from the scene.
A report published on Sunday by The Hindu quoted Imphal West Superintendent of Police (SP) Jogeshchandra Haobijam as saying that the incident took place at Thouroijam Awang Leikai area on Thursday.
The Imphal West police boss also said for being involved in the lynching case, along with four persons, a two-wheeler owner, who had parked his vehicle in a garage, was arrested on Friday by police.
All the five people, who have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), were remanded to four-day police custody on Saturday by the court.
Meanwhile, keeping in view the seriousness of the matter, the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur to investigate into the case.
The MHRC also directed the State DGP to submit a report of the case by September 22, 2018.
The report also stated that on Friday, people from Thouroijam village gheraoed the Patsoi Police Station demanding the release of the persons who were arrested for being involved in the lynching incident.
The locals demanded that the police instead of arresting the five persons on suspicion should have arrested the two vehicle-lifters who had managed to escape from the spot.
The deceased, who has been identified as Md Farooque, was reportedly an MBA graduate from Manipur. He returned to Manipur after completing his MBA course in Bangalore with start-up grants from the Manipur Government.
A public meeting was held at the locality of the victim in Lilong to discuss the matter where it was reportedly resolved that Farooque was murdered under false charges and Joint Action Committee was formed to fight for his justice.
