January 23 murder of BJP leader RTI activist Joykumar arrested

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 29 : Another name has cropped up in the murder case of BJP leader Laishram Rameshwar who was shot dead on January 23 last as Thoubal police arrested Advocate cum RTI activist Wahengbam Joy-kumar last night at around 8.30.
Following the arrest, the Duty Magistrate Thoubal on Sunday remanded W  Joykumar (52) s/o (L) Birmur of Wangkhei Hijam Leikai to 5 days police  custody for his alleged involvement in the case till February 2.
The arrest of the RTI activist, however, has not been responded positively by the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the United Nations (CSCHR) as they claimed that the "professional and legitimate action of his (W Joykumar) client cannot be construed as criminal conspiracy.' They also demanded immediate release of W Joykumar in a press release issued today.
Even as the police have arrested three persons so far in the case, the wife of Ayekpam Keshorjit (another accused) had earlier claimed that her husband pulled the trigger to defend himself in a complaint registered with the Director General of Police.
The two others who have been arrested by the police and are in police custody are Ayekpam Keshorjit (46), s/o (L) Kunjo of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai and Naorem Ricky @ Ponting (24), s/o Kesho of Keinou Thonthak Maning Leikai presently staying at Haobam Marak Irom Leikai.
W Joykumar was arrested from his residence last night as his name cropped up during the investigation taken up by Thoubal police.
The IO of the case submitted that W Joykumar was arrested as a part of the investigation taken up by Thoubal police in connection with the murder case of Laishram Rameshwar and prayed for five days police custody remand to ascertain the fact of the case and find out the identities of the others involved.
The Duty Magistrate on perusal of the case record and after hearing the submission of the IO remanded W Joykumar to 5 days police custody.
Laishram Rameshwar, convener of the Bharatiya Janata Party Manipur Ex-servicemen Cell was shot dead in front of his residence on January 23 last. He later succumbed to bullet injuries at Raj Medicity.
Meanwhile, CSCHR claimed that two police vehicles packed with security personnel stopped at the residence of W Joykumar last night and tried to enter his house from the back door.
Claiming that Waheng-bam Purnimashi (wife of W Joykumar) confronted the police and asked them to come properly from the main gate, the statement claimed that some personnel got inside the courtyard and asked W Joykumar to come along with them to the police station for questioning.
CSCHR further claimed that the police didn't even allow W Joykumar to change clothes initially and he was made to change his dress in front of one of the police personnel.
The arrest memo mentioned that the 'killer' of the BJP functionary made a call to W Joykumar after the incident, the statement claimed and alleged that the 'killer', however, was a client of W Joykumar and he advised the former to surrender before the police. CSCHR also said that W Joykumar should not be subjected to any form of torture while in custody.