Karnataka Chief Minister orders faster probe in Manipuri student’s killing

Karnataka Chief Minister D Sadananda Gowda has ordered the police to register an FIR in death case of Manipuri student  Richard Loitam. The order came after  Sunil Deodhar, national convener of BJP’s North-East India Sampark Cell, called on Shri Gowda demanding a thorough investigation into the case. He assured Shri Deodhar that the investigation would be foolproof and there would be no loopholes. The Inspector General of Police (Intelligence), Gopal Hosur has asked the local SP to file a case of murder against unknown persons.

As a result of unrest in North-Eastern population across the country due to the death of Richard Loitam, Shri Sunil Deodhar rushed to Bengaluru for timely intervention. North-East India Sampark Cell has been  formed with the specific object of providing helpline to the north-eastern people in the rest of India.

Shri Sunil Deodhar along with Shri Omprakash (president, Manipuri Meitei Association Bengaluru) and Shri Tiken (president, Manipuri Students Association, Bengaluru) also met the Karnataka State Home Minister R Ashoka and requested him to look into the matter seriously. Home Minister assured immediate action once the forensic report is received, which is expected within a week.

There is a view in the media that this is a case of racism but Shri Deodhar does not subscribe to this view. He asserted that one should wait for forensic report and completion of investigation by police before coming to any conclusion.

Richard Loitam, a Manipur student, was found dead in his hostel room on April 18. He was a student of B Arch (1st year) at Acharya College, Bengaluru. The circumstances under which he was found dead were mysterious and need investigation.

The immediate action and support by the BJP’s cell has given some solace to the parents of the victim in particular and the Manipuri migrants in the city.            (FOC)?