Family members of late H Wanang Konyak (46) from Totok Chingnyu village, who was killed in an accidental firing on December 21, have appealed to the law enforcing agencies to “take exemplary action upon those responsible for the crime and show to the world that law is equal for all.”
Hangnyei Konyak father of the deceased and Hinglong Konyak, wife of deceased, in a joint statement, said late H Wanang Konyak is survived by his wife, a daughter and five sons. The incident took place during the inaugural programme for the newly built residence of the Chief Angh of Totok.
According to the signatories, Wanang Konyak was killed in an accidentally firing by M Longna Konyak, the personal body guard of N. Thongwang Konyak, MLA of 46 A/C Mon town, with his service pistol. Quoting eyewitness accounts, they claimed the MLA initially fired five live rounds with the service pistol of the bodyguard, without any reasons. When the bullet got jammed, the MLA reportedly handed over the pistol to his body guard and asked him to fire the gun. When the bodyguard did so, the bullet accidentally hit and killed H.Wanang Konyak, the said, adding the deceased was the sole bread earner of the family.
The family resented the fact that after the incident, the MLA and his entourage fled from the scene and did not even return to attend the funeral. They instead alleged that the MLA had arranged police protection around his private residence, which not only humiliated the dead more, but also deeply hurt the sentiment of the family. They said that even after undergoing the tragedy, the bereaved family remained hopeful that the law enforcing agencies would deliver justice.