Meira paibis at a protest in Imphal. File picture

Imphal, Aug. 5: A mob today demolished the home of a youth suspected to have fired at a household in his locality in Manipur’s Imphal East district.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident, which took place this afternoon.

Police sources said three unidentified thugs fired two rounds at the door of the residence of a bank employee, identified as 55-year-old Laishram Muhindro, at Kongpal Chanam Leikai.

Members of Laishram Muhindro’s family said the unidentified youths had demanded a sum of Rs 3 lakh from the bank employee, citing the name of a militant outfit, which they did not identify.

The family reportedly paid the extortionists Rs 30,000 a few days ago. Not satisfied with the sum, the youths came to the house again at 10.30 last night and demanded more cash.

When the family refused to open the door, the youths fired two rounds at the door and left. No one was injured.

In protest against the incident, meira paibis (women activists) of the locality today organised a sit-in protest from 9am at Kongpal.

Even as the demonstration was in progress, a police team arrived at the venue to inform the protesters that they had apprehended a few persons today, one of who was suspected to be involved in last night’s firing.

The police team paraded a youth before the meira paibis, asking them to state whether the youth was involved in the incident.

The family of the bank employee and some local residents identified the youth as one of the gunmen who attacked the house last night.

The youth, 26-year-old Thingujam Amo, is a neighbour of the bank employee and is a known criminal.

When the police informed the meira paibis that Amo was involved in yesterday’s incident, a group of local youths and women activists stormed Amo’s house. They destroyed all household articles and furniture and pulled down the mud wall.

No policeman was present when the mob demolished the suspect’s house.

The police team that brought the suspect left immediately after parading the youth before the meira paibis.

His family fled when the mob attacked the house. A police team arrived on the scene after the crowd dispersed.

Tension was simmering in Kongpal locality. Policemen were patrolling the area.