Imphal, Sep 10: Even though the chargesheet against nine personnel of the police department including the Officer-in-charge of Imphal City police station and Officer-in-charge of the Manipur police commando unit, Imphal City has been submitted yesterday by the CBI to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal following the completion of its investigations into the July 23, 2009 `fake-encounter` incident, the formal arrest of the police personnel will be done by September 27, said a source quoting the CJM’s court.
The CBI has chargesheeted the nine police peronnel including OC City PS Insp. Y Munal of Rajbari Palace Compound, Insp. Hijam Debendra of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Officer-in-charge of the Bazar Unit of Imphal West police commando, Constable Thounaojam Herojit of Lamdeng Awang Leikai, Rifleman Ngangom Toyaima of Langpok, Maning Leikai, of 8th MR attached with Commando Bazar Unit of Imphal West, Constable Wahengbam Binoykumar of Kongpal Mutum Leikai, Havildar Thokchom Jagat of 8th MR attached with Commando Bazar Unit of Imphal West, Rifleman Md Imran Khan of Yairipok Singa Makha Leikai of 5 IRB, Head Constable Oinam Kishore of Yuman Huidrom Leishangkhong Awang and Constable Makan Kanchung Chothe in connection with the alleged fake encounter that took place on July 23, 2009 at BT Road Imphal, in which one pregnant woman Thokchom Rabina from Lamsang village and one Sanjit from Khurai Sajor Leikai in Imphal East district were killed and five others injured in firing by the Manipur police commandos which was claimed to be a encounter by the police.
Even though the court of the CJM, Imphal has taken cognizance of the chargesheet of the CBI and issued warrant of arrest against the said police personnel, there have been no reports of arrests of any of the accused police personnel till today. On the other hand, there was an official report for the application of anticipatory bails in the court of District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East by 14 police personnels of Bazar Unit Manipur police commandos and personnel of city police station whose statements were taken during the recent CBI investigation, just before the CBI submitted their chargesheet to the CJM, Imphal yesterday, the official source added.
In the meantime, the formal handling of the case by the CJM, Imphal was dealyed due to the absence of Chief Judicial Magistrate K Brajakumar Sharma who is on official leave till September 14. There is possibility of the case being taken up as soon as the Chief Judicial Magistrate K Brajakumar Sharma resumes his chair on September 15, the reliable source added.
Indeed the quick disposal of investigation reports by the CBI has surprised the general populace in the state and is a big relief for them as the danger from the police commandos would subside following the chargesheet.
Meanwhile, reacting to the development prominent advocate of Manipur, Khaidem Mani who was himself a mediator in the case said that filing of chargesheet against the police personnel in Manipur is rare and the development would serve as a good precedent for the state. “There have been so many reports of fake encounters in Manipur involving security personnel and all this while the security forces have been going scot-free,” expressed Khaidem Mani.
