IMPHAL, October 5: A judicial enquiry conducted regarding the death of one Ningthoujam Thopchao Singh brings out the fact that he was killed by BSF personnel and did not die in a cross fire or from bullets fired by insurgents.
According to a petition filed by wife of the deceased to the Gauhati High Court (Case number 75 of 2008), a judicial inquiry was ordered by the Court to investigate the cause of death of Thopchao on July 2011.
According to facts leading to the inquiry, there was a Thabal Chongba festival at Nongpok Sekmai Lila Kombong playground on February 2, 2007. Some personnel of 172 Batallion of the BSF who were stationed at Nongpok Sekmai Primary Health Centre came in a bulletproof Gypsy to the said festival ground.
At about 9 pm, the BSF was attacked and one personnel was wounded in the leg. In the aftermath, the security personnel also fired indiscriminately and a there was a chaotic situation at the festival area.
Due to the circumstances, N Thopchao was returning to his village with three fiends. As they approached the BSF camp at Nongpok Sekmai PHC, a sentry accosted and searched them. They were told to raise their hands and walk single file past the post and to their village. Thopchao was the first in line and when they reached the main gate of the post, they were fired upon from the BSF bunker.
Thopchao, 27 years old then, sustained four bullet wounds and after transported for treatment at RIMS, he succumbed to hi injuries .The fact was similarly testified by Maibam Hemanta and Maibam Sharat who were with the deceased on the said date.
The BSF officials concerned also testified otherwise that Thopchao died due to a crossfire on the camp mounted by UGs on the said night. One head constable, Binod Raghav who was with the BSF team at the Thabal Chonba area said that he was ambused and sustained a leg injury. On getting back to his camp, there were fired upon again and in the crossfire, a civilian was injured.
After the Judge, M Ibohal Singh examined both parties, it was concluded that there was an exchange of fire at the tri-junction where the festival was held but not at the BSF gate. It was also found that 172 Batallion, BSF posted at Nongpok Sekmai PHC are responsible for the killing of Ningthoujam Thopchao.
The inquiry has been submitted to the Gauhati High Court recently.