Ten held for resorting to mob-justice

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 5

Ten persons were arrested in connection with a video uploaded on social media on October 2 featuring mob violence.

Giving this information today at a press conference at his office conference hall today Imphal West SP Themthing Ngashangva said a video was uploaded on Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media from one account skumarinstitute offilmindustry on October 3 at 11.49 pm. The video shows some unknown people were forcefully cutting the hair of a man and a woman using abusive languages and physically assaulted the duo.

He said after examining the video and after investigation cyber crime unit and Kakching district police learnt that incident occurred at Sugnu Awang Leikai at about 11 PM on October 2.

Themthing further said the individuals who were involved in the crime have been identified and subsequently some of them have been arrested. They were handed over to cyber crime police station for further action.

An FIR number 42(10)2017 cyber crime police station under Section 147/323/342/506/509/354/34 IPC was registered against the ten accused.

Among the ten, four persons were arrested on October 4. They are identified as Khaidem Sunny Kumar Singh, 35, son of Kh. Amusana Singh, Thangjam Prem alias Yaimabi Meitei, 20, son of Th. (L) Ingocha Meitei of Sugnu Awang Leikai, Laishram Reevence Singh, 26, son of L. Sanajaoba Singh of Sugnu Mamang Leikai, Khaidem Abung Singh, 25, son of Kh. (L) Hemanta Singh of Sugnu Thong Makha Napet.

The other six were arrested today. They are identified as Khaidem Abem Devi, 37, wife of Kh. Sunny Kumar Singh of Sugnu Awang Leikai, Thounaojam Ibemcha Devi, 44, wife of Th. Inaocha Singh of Sugnu Awang Leikai, Wahengbam Lakhsmi Devi, 21, daughter of W. Bijoy Singh of Sugnu Awang Leikai, Yengkhkom Romita Devi, 22, wife of Y. Naocha of Sugnu Awang Leikai Khaidem Sabitri Devi, 22, wife of Kh. Ibungcha Singh of Sugnu Awang Leikai and Thangjam Thoibi Devi, 32, wife of Th. Naotombi Singh of Sugnu Awang Leikai.

Recalling another incident of mob violebnce in Lamsang in 1997 in connection with FIR number 15(3)1997 Lamsang police station PS under Section 148/149/307/323/336/436/353/354/427 IPC Themthing said the accused persons in the case prevented the police personnel of Lamshang police station and fire servicemen from entering the house of the complainant. Some of the accused persons burnt the house and outhouse of the victims.

Th SP said the incident took place on March 29, 1997 at around 9.30 am. The charge-sheet of the case was submitted on July 1, 1997. After twenty years sessions court Imphal West delivered its judgement on July 25, 2017 convicting 28 accused persons including 19 females.

“Mob-justice gives bad impact to the public and if one cannot catch at young, he will catch when old. People need awareness about mob justice and public should not take law into their own hands,” Themthing said.