Manipuris appeal for peace after militants target non-local labourers

Imphal, June 14 (ANI): The recent killing of poor shopkeepers and workers in Manipur has attracted widespread local resentment and criticism against militants. Some residents have appealed for peace.

There is palpable sense of fear and insecurity among the people after militants recently gunned down Lalan Thakur, a barber, in front of his saloon in the Wabagai Lamkhai Market, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kakching police station in Manipur's Thoubal District.

A shopkeeper Harendar Yadav was also shot by two armed militants inside his grocery shop and he succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital.

Lakshman Saha, a 28-year-old sweets seller, was also injured and is presently recuperating at Imphal's J N Hospital.

People have appealed for an end to violence in the state.

"The killing of innocent people who have done nothing wrong, is beyond my comprehension. Who will look after my two children? I have undergone two surgeries and my health is also deteriorating. I am really worried. I don't know how I will live," said Kim, victim Khupkhulen's wife.

"If such activities continue in Manipur, it will create a fear psychosis among the people of the state," T. Baite, a local resident.

According to Superintend of Police of Thoubal District said the police were on high alert and were conducting frequent searches to prevent kidnapping and killings of non-local laborers by militants for monetary demands.

Meanwhile, police commandos arrested a cadre of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Elangbam Rojit Singh, allegedly involved in the murder of barber Lalan Thakur.

"We, not as a police but as a public, must also think about this, as we have so many students, friends, brothers and sisters working outside the state. By killing non-Manipuris will not solve the problem of immigration or illegal migrants. This has to be taken up as a policy matter," said Clay Khongsai, Senior Superintendent of Police in Thoubal District, Manipur

Meanwhile, state security personnel have provided shelter to non-local labourers at Dharamsala, Thangal Bazar in Imphal.

However, on Saturday, burning of tyres and logs along the Thoubal district section of the National Highway-39 and massive protest demonstrations at Kakching sub-division areas marked the first day of the indefinite bandh enforced from today in denunciation of the killing of one Yengkhom Krishnadas of Kakching Sumak Leikai.

While the JAC formed to protest murder of the contractor had given the State-wide agitation call its impact was most evident in Thoubal district areas particularly in Kakching sub-division from where the victim hailed.

Owing to the bandh call shops and business establishments and educational institutions in Pallel, Thoubal district headquarters and Kakching. (ANI)