Manipur, Imphal; 16 Sep 2018: Md. Farooque Khan 26, an MBA student, was killed by a Mob in Thaoroijam Awang Leikai area in Manipur state. He was on his way to meet a friend with two companions in his car. Car was stopped by the mob and torched. Two of Khan’s companions ran away but Khan was caught and beaten brutally by the mob, in police presence. Almost dead Khan was taken to hospital and died there.
Someone took a video of the horrible beating of Khan, and posted it on Youtube. It is nothing short of vicious animal act. Video has become viral.
Md. Farooque Khan alias Furkan hailed from Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai at Tharoijam, Lamshang assembly constituency, Imphal.
According to police, a total of 13 people were involved in beating and killing of Khan. 5 of those killers have been arrested. They are identified by police as Ksh Naoba Singh 23, Ch. Ibomcha Singh 35, Ch Subas chandra Singh, 45, Phamdom Shamu Singh, 51, and M Girani Singh, 59.
Imphal West SP, Jogeschandra Haobijam said that two companions of Khan have also been identified and would soon be detained for questioning.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) has been formed by M.A. Zabbar. JAC had a detailed discussion with BJP chief minister, N. Biren.
According to IMPHAL Free Press, “The memorandum signed by convenor, JAC M.A. Zabbar and secretary to chief minister, Ningthoujam Geoffrey stated that a mutual agreement was made on the points that the state government will suspend the erring police personnel who were on duty, as visible in the video clips” and “Departmental enquiry against the erring police personnel will be completed, as per procedure, preferably within of one month.”
“It was further agreed that maximum efforts will be made to arrest the remaining absconding persons who are seen to be involved in the mob lynching of Md. Farooq Khan in the video clips, at the earliest. It was also resolved that a mass condemnation against the mob justice will be held across the state on an appointed date, with participation of people irrespective of religion, caste of community with the objective of creating public awareness against the social evil”, reported IMPHAL Free Press.
The JAC has convened a public meeting on Saturday to discuss on the future course of action in connection with the killing of Farooque.
According to IMPHAL Free Press, “people of Oinam Sawombung and Wangoi demonstrated a protest by taking out a torch rally in the Mayai Lambi area late this evening.”
Protesters demanded that the BJP government must solve the case immediately before communal clashes break out.
“Speaking to media, one of the protestor said the mob lynching of Farooque is not the first time, many innocents have become the victim of mob lynching. If the government does not take legitimate steps to stop this culture, many more can become be victim in the future.”, reported IMPHAL Free Press.
While people of Oinam Sawombung and Wangoi protesting for peace, supporters of the killers stormed at the Patsoi police station demanding unconditional release of the five arrested by the police. They pelted stone compelling the police to fire tear gas. The officer-in-charge of the police station was injured in the mob attack.
DIG Manipur Police appealed to the public and them not to take law into their hands.
When queries on the alleged failure of the police on scene to react, DIG said that it was not an easy task to reason with a mob.
