A headmaster of a government primary Madarsa was killed for allegedly stealing cows from his neighboring village in Manipur. The incident took place in Keirao Makting village of Imphal East district, an area dominated by Manipuri Muslims, locally known as Pangals.
Body of Md Hasmad Ali (55), was found five km away from his house. Villagers said he was killed by people from neighbouring village after he was caught red-handed while trying to steal cows, though the police have not been able to ascertain from where villagers got the information that Ali was killed for trying to steal cow.
Security has been heightened around the area with apprehensions of some vested interest groups trying to create communal tension.
Following the recovery of the body, a large number of residents of Keirao Makting village stormed the Irilbung police station demanding the arrest of killer.
Pangals have been living in the Greater Imphal Valley for decades surrounded by the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki community. Ali’s family told the police that he went out on Sunday around 8 pm after having dinner to buy paan but never returned home. Later, his body was recovered with bruise marks all over, police sources said, adding that Ali was killed in a physical assault.