Family members rule out suicide by ex-DGP's guard

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL, April 17: Family members of the guard of the former Director General of Police Y. Joykumar who allegedly committed suicide by firing with his service rifle have ruled out suicide. Demanding a proper inquiry into the mysterious incident, the family members have  called an indefinite strike along Imphal-Moreh-Chandel highways from Saturday morning. The strike shall continue till an agreement is ironed out with the government.

The guard identified as Laita Raloiring Aimol of Pallel had allegedly shot himself with this service AK 56 rifle. A single shot had hit his throat. The dead body was found on Thursday in one of the rooms of the house of the former DGP. His weeping wife and other family members said that he could not have committed suicide since his service rifle was fully loaded. They contend that the bullet that had hit and killed him is not that of this AK 56 rifle but some other bullet fired from another gun. They further said that the dead body had injury marks in some parts of the body. They fear that there was fighting or beatings before he was deliberately shot dead. Police are not coming out with any statement in this regard. The family members said that some students’ organisations are also extending support to the indefinite strike.

The guard had gone home on April 13 to attend a wedding ceremony of a close relative and returned for duty on April  15. The widow said that he was a loving and caring husband and there was no reason why he should commit suicide.

Indications are that in view of the serious charge the police investigation may pay attention to the homicide angle. In any case normal life will be disrupted for some days and the traders and others who halted the night on Friday at Moreh and Chandel will not be able to return to Imphal.