Jawan kin warn of boycott

Slain rifleman’s relatives to shun R-Day if killer not found

Imphal, Jan. 22 A joint action committee formed by relatives and neighbours of an India Reserve Battalion personnel, who was found murdered during sentry duty last week, threatened to boycott the Republic Day functions and launch a series of protests if its demands were not met. The action committee set January 24 as the deadline for the Okram Ibobi Singh government to arrest and punish the culprits, pay an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh, full salary to the victim’s family and also a suitable government job to a family member.  “If the Ibobi Singh government fails to fulfil the demands by January 24, the action committee will boycott the Republic Day functions. We will also launch a series of agitation,” Zakir Hussain, president of the committee, today said. Md Sikandar, an IRB rifleman, was found bludgeoned to death on the morning of January 15 at the sentry tower inside the office complex of the superintendent of police, Imphal East, Th. Radheshyam Singh. The killer or killers also took away the light machine gun (LMG) provided for the sentry post. Though the police suspected that the crime was committed by one or more policemen present in the police complex at Porompat of Imphal East, they have not been able to nail the culprits.  “We are still investigating the case and we could not find any clue to the identity of the culprits,” a police officer said. Senior police officials blamed lapses on the part of the sentry for the crime.  “Firstly, he was substituting his replacement without informing his senior officials. Secondly, he was sleeping on a mat at the sentry post with pillows and blankets. Had he been awake no one could have harmed him. The incident has tarnished the image of the district police,” the police officer said. Sikandar’s sentry duty was from 9pm to midnight. Another rifleman was to replace him from midnight to 3am. On request by the replacement, the sentry continued his duty after midnight.  Sources said the police believe it to be an inside job since the gate of the complex was closed from the inside when the body was discovered.  The motive could be the killer or killers snatched the weapon to sell it.