IMPHAL, September 21: Angered after a woman in her mid-50’s who went missing since September 19 evening was found dead this morning from a river, a mob set on fire the house of a man who was last seen with the woman.
According to the police, Serakhatun Bibi alias Imaton, 55, second wife of (L) Md Abdul Jalil of Hiyangthang Pallak under Wangoi Police had gone missing since the September 19. She was last seen accompanied by a 28 year old neighbour.
Imaton used to sell vegetables at Hiyangthang Bazar and on normal days one of her sons used to pick her from the bazar, said shop owners of the bazar area.
However, on the evening of September 19, before any of her sons came to fetch her, a neighbour from Hiyanthang Pallak Awang Leikai identified as Md Abdul Kadir alias Amuthoi, 28, son of Md Ibomcha came at her vending place and asked her to return home along with him.
It is also learnt that bystanders had seen them returning home together from the bazar area.
Ever since that day, Imaton failed to return home and remained untraceable even as the Hiyangthang Pallak Youth Development Club, HPYDC launched a manhunt for her.
This morning around 7, people found her lifeless body tied to a log stuck into the Nambol riverbed at Irom meijrao Maning Leikai, sources said.
The people reported to the police at once, after which the police picked and deposited the body at the RIMS morgue for post mortem.
Meanwhile, angered by the incident, locals including from Hiyangthang Pallak came out and imposed an immediate bandh at Hiyangthang bazar.
Traffic along the Mayai Lambi was also disrupted for a few hours.
The mob also went to the house of Md Abdul Kadir alias Amuthoi, but after finding the house empty tore it down and set it on fire.
Fire tenders from Imphal also came to douse the fire, but the mob blocked their way and allowed the fire to completely destroy the house.
The police have filed a case in this regard.
Meanwhile it is also learnt that Imaton had around Rs 5000 on her person on the day she went missing, however, no money was found when her body was recovered.
