Lynching decried

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 15, 2018: Lynching of a 26 years old youth Md Farooque Khan of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai allegedly for vehicle theft has been condemned from various circles and demanded to punish those involved in the lynching.

Police has so far arrested five persons including the owner of the residence where Farooque had allegedly tried to steal a scooter.

In connection with the incident a public meeting cum protest demanding justice for the victim was staged at Khomidok Bazar, Pangei Road, organised by Anti Drug Joint Committee Kairang, Khomidok and Khabeisoi, today.

Condemning the lynching the committee said that if the deceased is felt guilty then he should have been handed over to the police so that the law takes its own course. People of Tharoijam taking the law into their own hand shows that they don’t seem to clearly understand the meaning of law, added the committee.

Secretary of the committee, Md Anwar Shah expressed that the incident could have been avoided if the elders of the locality have reacted timely to stop the mob.

Taking someone life by lynching no matter what the motive was is a crime in the law and it is right time to teach the locals of Tharoijam Awang Leikai a lesson so that such incident does not occurred in the near future again, Anwar added.

Anwar also said that police should take up proper initiative to punish the mob lynching involve persons by the law of the land and the captured involve persons is the main reason of mob lynching Tharoijam incident.

Though the committee appreciate Manipur Police for timely action and arresting the persons involve in the incident, Anwar said, some of the police personnel present in the incident failed to do their duty. It is strongly condemned and we appeal the state government to take strengthen action, he added.

Veteran politician Okram Joy said, “If there is no rule of law there is no democracy at all. Nobody is above law. It is unfortunate that lynching has increased in the country”. He appealed for proper investigation.

M.I Khan, spokesperson of Pangal Political Forum said the killers should be severely punished so that the culture of mob lynching is abolished in Manipur, and for this the government should establish a special court or otherwise handover the case to central investigating agencies.