IMPHAL, Feb 3: The two persons accused in the murder of the chairman of Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Dr. Naorem Kunjabihari, have been detained under National Security Act (NSA) and sent to judicial custody after being produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal West yesterday.
The two accused persons are Potsangbam Opendro alias Pukchao, 43, s/o Ibotombi of Mayang Imphal Konchak Yangbi Leikai, and Yumnam Somendro alias Tiken, 35, s/o Roton Singh of Churachandpur Thengra Leikai, presently residing at Thangapat Mapal Konung Leikai.
The accused persons have been arrested in FIR case no. 21(1)2011 Imphal Police Station under section 302 of IPC, 25 (1-B) of Arms Act and 16/20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Opendro and Somendro were earlier produced before the CJM on January 17 and January 31 and subsequently they were remanded in police custody for 18 days.
As per the statement of the police submitted to the CJM, the secretary of Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Lairenlakpam Rajmohon lodged a written report with the OC of Imphal Police Station on January 11 at 7:10 pm stating that on the same day at 11 am, 14/15 board members of BSEM had a meeting with the deceased Dr. Naorem Kunjabihari at his office chamber which continued till around 3;30 pm. While the secretary along with other members were having a cup of tea in the office room of secretary Rajmohon, Th. Ibomcha (peon) reported that Kunjabihari was lying on the floor of his office room. Then they all rushed to the room of the chairman and found him lying unconscious on the floor. After that they quickly evacuated him to RIMS Hospital in their office vehicle, but on reaching the hospital they learned that the chairman was no more and they were also informed that a small hole was present on the chest of the deceased.
The police statement further said that during the investigation for 15 days the accused persons revealed that they are active cadres of Military Defense Force (MDF), a faction of the proscribed KYKL.
On interrogation the accused Opendro disclosed that in the middle of September, 2010 he threatened (late) Dr. Kunjabihari from his mobile number 8974893522 of dire consequences if Kunjabihari joined as the chairman of BSEM. He further disclosed that in the evening of January 15 he had also threatened the editors of local Manipuri dailies not to publish press release from the MDF faction of KYKL claiming about the murder of Dr. Kunjabihari.
Opendro also disclosed that he took advice from the co-accused Somendro for his activities.
Further, the other accused person Somendro revealed that he got basic military training of the outfit KYKL and he had been arrested three times earlier in 1994, 1995 and 1998. He said that he had provided the mobile number of (late) Kunjabiahri to the co-accused Opendro and instructed him to threaten the chairman of BSEM not to join the office.
Somendro also revealed that he instructed Opendro to release the press note claiming the hands of MDF in the murder of Dr. Kunjabihari.
It may be recalled that the chairman of Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Dr. Naorem Kunjabihari was killed by some unidentified persons on January 11 right inside his office chamber at the high security zone of Babupara which is just a few steps away from the Police Headquarters. The local clubs and various civil organizations had launched stern agitations demanding the state government to trace out the culprits and punish as per the law.
