IMPHAL, January 16: The Judicial Magistrate 1st class Jiribam has today released Moirangthem Bijen Singh who was reportedly picked up by the 22 Assam Rifles on January 14. The Jiribam police had reportedly denied to accept Bijen in their custody due to his `health condition`. The lower court accepted Bijen’s bail plea on medical grounds but directed him to appear before the court on January 30 and to appear before the IO of the case to co-operate in the investigation till completion of the investigations.
According to the extract copy of the JM 1st Class, Jiribam which is in IFP`s possession, “The accused namely Moirangthem Bijen Singh alias James, 36 son of (L) M Babachand Singh of Dibong Sanakhal, Jiribam, Imphal East district, Manipur is produced with a prayer for police custody remand for a period of six days wef January 16 to 21 and also a prayer to visit to the CHC, Jiribam as the accused is not in a position to move out of the hospital for the present under medical treatment with strict security”.
“In the meanwhile, the accused petitioner files an application praying for releasing him on bail thereby rejecting the police custody remand of the IO”, it said.
It has also said that the allegations against the accused person is that he is a member of the RPF/PLA (CorCom) and outlawed organization punishable under U/S 20 UA(P) Act.
“From the material on record placed before me and on inquiry of the health condition of the accused person and perusing the medical certificate, I find sufficient ground for releasing the accused person on bail on medical ground”, the order further continued.
M Bijen Singh has been allowed bail with a PR bond of Rs 30000 with a surety of the like amount.
Meanwhile, clarifying on the issue in a press release, the PRO IGAR (s) has said in a press release that the allegations are baseless and that there was no harassment or torture of M Bijen Singh resident of Jiribam. It said, “The individual was apprehended by troops of 22 AR on January 15 since he is an active RPF PLA (Cor Com) cadre and has identified himself as No 1021 Self Styled sergeant major M Bijen Singh”.
“The individual is a currently a member of Jiribam Municipal Council however he has accepted to having link with PLA and working for them”, the PRO IGAR (S) release said.
Clarifying further on the report that the individual has been assaulted/tortured following which individual has been admitted in Community Health Center (CHC), Jiribam, the release said that the medical case sheet in respect of M Bijen Singh certified by doctors at CHC, clearly states that there are no signs of external injury on the individual.
“The individual has been admitted in CHC on complaint of giddiness and not due to any assault or torture by Assam Rifles troops. The individual was handed over to PS Jiribam on January 15 on a FIR and the individual is currently in police custody”, it said.