A BJP leader was shot dead by unidentified people in Manipur’s Thoubal district on Tuesday, police said.
Laishram Rameshwor Singh (55), the convenor of ex-servicemen cell of the saffron party’s state unit, was shot near the gates of his residence in Kshetri locality in the morning, a police officer said.
On receiving the information, immediate attempts were made to arrest the accused persons, Superintendent of Police H Jogeschandra of Thoubal district said.
After a hectic chase, the vehicle used in the crime and the driver, identified as Naorem Ricky Pointing of Keinou Thongthak Maning Leikai in Bishnupur district presently staying at Haobam Marak Irom Leikai in Imphal West district has been arrested, the SP said.
At the same time, police are also searching for the main accused — Ayekpam Keshorjit of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai in Imphal West district, he added. One empty case of .32 bullet was also recovered from the incident site.
Protesting the day’s incident, the locals of Thoubal Kshetri Leikai formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the killing and demanded justice.
They also submitted a memorandum to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
According to JAC members, Biren Singh assured them that the accused person would be arrested without delay.
The 50-year-old man received a bullet injury on his chest and was taken to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile the post mortem has been conducted at the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal. However, the family of the deceased and JAC members are yet to claim the body.
