Asem Bhakta Singh, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal : (Waari Singbul Network) The state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into Monday evening’s firing at the minority-dominated Lilong area in Thoubal district even as the death toll in the incident rose to 5 as one of the injured breathed his last.
Md Abdur Rajaq, who received critical bullet wounds, passed away at the private Raj Medicity in Imphal on Wednesday. A Lilong resident, Rajaq was a key functionary of Anjuman, a local anti-drug body.
On the other hand, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed by residents of Lilong, predominately settled by Meitei Pangals ( Meitei Muslims) in connection with the incident, agreed to claim the bodies for performing last rites.
This followed after the local pressure group inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government in presence of chief minister N Biren Singh at his office complex here on Wednesday.
The MoU, among other points, agreed to provide a suitable government job each to the next of kin of the 5 deceased and three seriously injured who are likely to remain as physically challenged, Rs 10 lakh each to the deceased families, Rs 2 lakh each to the seriously injured and another Rs one lakh each to other injured persons.
According to an order signed by the district’s senior superintendent of police, Rakesh Balwal, the SIT is to be headed by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Md Riyajuddin Shah as chairman.
SDPO N Suresh Singh, Inspectors Masood and sub inspectors Md Anwar Hussain, S Bhubon Singh and N Thomas Singh, all serving in the valley district, are members of the probe panel.
The progress of investigation of the case should be appraised to the SP twice daily in the morning and evening, the order said.
Biren Singh , who led his government in the meeting with Meitei Pangal civil bodies took to Facebook and said “We have come to an understanding where the religious leaders and CSOs of Meitei Pangal community have agreed to take the remains of the victims for their last rites.”
The proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) owned up hands for the incident, saying it occurred in a mission to round up a drug cartel who had persistently disregarded warnings to stop drug trade.
