Manipur: Protesters block hearse after woman’s death, police fire tear gas

Imphal: Following the death of a 25-year-old housewife under suspicious circumstances in Manipur’s Imphal West district, locals pelted stones at police and blocked a police hearse. They alleged that her husband and in-laws had murdered her.

The protesters, mostly women, demonstrated with the deceased’s body, alleging that her husband had killed her. They blocked the police team.

In response, police fired tear gas and opened fire in the air to disperse the crowd.

Officials said the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Wangoi Mangang Khaidem Leikai, under the Wangoi police station limits in Imphal West district.

The deceased has been identified as Khaidem Ongbi Chanambam Chaoba Devi (25), wife of Khaidem Dhaneshor (also known as Boynaocha (28)).

Locals reported that her body was found near her home around 3:30 pm on Saturday. While the police team was waiting for forensic experts to conduct a detailed investigation, the deceased’s family and other locals in Wangoi protested, initially attacking those detained by the police in connection with the case.

The police were able to bring the situation under control only after reinforcements arrived.

Police stated that a preliminary investigation into the case is underway and further information is awaited.