With government machineries incapable of controlling those possessing licenses or illegal arms, gun-related violence in Imphal is on the rise. Days after a group of armed youths fired indiscriminately towards a group of Meira Paibis and youths and Sega Road Khwairakpam Leikai injuring 5 people including a woman, a 23 years old youth identified as Ahanthem Ritesh Kumar was seriously injured after an armed youth fired at his head. The culprits involved in all the gun-related crimes have been arrested however, womenfolk started worrying about the future of the state if gun culture rises in the way it is happening today.
Anguished over the rise of gun culture in Imphal, the womenfolk of Uripok Sorbon Thingel in Imphal west district today staged a sit-in-protest and demanded the arrest and punishment of the person who attempted to murder Ahanthem Ritesh and also who had supported him in shooting him. The protest was organised by CDS and Apunba Nupi Lup, Uripok Sorbon Thingel.
Speaking to reporters, a protestor said that Ritesh is presently undergoing treatment in critical condition. She said that Ritesh went to attend a cremation ceremony of a relative of his friend TakhelambamYaikhomba from Uripok Khoishnam Leikai at around 10.30 pm on October 20. She said Ritesh was shot by one Takhelambam Dipu (25) of Uripok Polem Leikai.
“We are not happy with the family of Yaikhomba. Why did they allow Dipu to run away instead of handing him to the police? Why the family members are not taking Ritesh to the Hospital after knowing that he was hit in his head?”, the protestor told media persons.