Manipur Govt Forms SIT To Probe Firing Incident That Killed 5, Injured 14

The Manipur government has formed an SIT to probe the recent firing incident which killed five people and injured 14.

The N Biren Singh-led Manipur government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the firing incident at Lilong Chingjao in the violence-hit northeast state’s Thoubal district that claimed the lives of five people and left another 14 injured on Monday.

According to an order issued by Thoubal Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Balwal, the six-member SIT will be headed by Yairipok Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Md Riyajuddin Shah as the chairman. The other members of the SIT are SDPO N Suresh Singh, Inspector Masood and Sub Inspectors (SIs) Md Anwar Hussain, S Bhubon Singh and N Thomas Singh -- all serving in the valley districts of the state. As per the order, progress of the investigation in the case should be appraised to the SSP twice daily.

On the other hand, another person injured in the attack succumbed to his injuries taking the death toll to five. The injured, Md Abdur Rajaq, a resident of Lilong, who received bullet injuries, passed away at the Raj Medicity hospital in the state’s capital Imphal on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of the ‘Meitei Pangal’ (Meitei Muslims), who initially denied claiming the bodies of those killed in the incident, on Wednesday agreed to take the remains of the victims of violence to perform the last rites after convening a meeting with state Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Chief Minister Singh later wrote on social media platform X, “Held a meeting with CSOs of the Meitei Pangal community at my official residence today in the presence of Hon’ble MP (RS) Sanajaoba Leisemba, Hon’ble Minister Shri K Govindas, Hon’ble MLA of Lilong, Shri Abdul Nasir and my officials. Express my deep sorrow for the unfortunate incident that happened at Lilong on 1st Jan. We have come to an understanding where the religious leaders and CSOs of the Meitei Pangal community have agreed to take the remains of the victims for their last rites.”

According to the understanding between the religious leaders, CSOs of Meitei Pangal community, and the state government, a suitable government job each to the next of kin of the five deceased and an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs two lakh each to the seriously injured, and Rs one lakh each to other injured people will be provided.