Fear of communal tension over murder of police officer in Manipur

Iboyaima Laithangbam

Home Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei and many sections of people fear that the murder of one police sub inspector Krishnadas Mayengbam on June 21 night near the FCI godown at Sagaiprou may snowball into a communal flare up. In the recent past charges of fomenting communal trouble had been traded between Gangmei and action committee which was formed to spearhead agitations demanding justice to the slain police officer.

The police officer was stabbed to death on the fateful night. The finger of suspicion is pointed at a definite direction. However police are detaining Krishna Chandra with whom Mayangbam had reportedly gone to an illegal drinking joint for imbibing some drinks. The action committee told reporters on Tuesday that police had picked up Chandra on the plea to seek his assistance since he was the last person to see Mayangbam alive. One woman kiosk owner, Babina Takhellambam told reporters that after drinks the two persons had bought some eatables from her. Then both of them had gone towards their own homes. Very interestingly, the dead police officer was found holding a pouch of country liquor. But his hands were bloody and they were not in a position to hold the pouch.

The agitating people have been demanding resignation of the home minister as the murderers have not been arrested so far.

Meanwhile the action committees formed on behalf of Mayengbam and Chandra have announced on Tuesday that if the killers are not arrested and Chandra who is "innocent" is not released they will launch more intensified agitations from Wednesday.

Police are on alert in the troubled areas.