IMPHAL, February 7: In a landmark judgement, the Imphal Bench of the Gauhati High Court today ordered the state government to compensate Rs 5 lakh to the family of a man who was killed by the Imphal West distinct police commandos in an alleged encounter while he was on his way home after he was released from jail.
According to information received by IFP, the deceased has been identified as Ningthoujam Binoy alias Khaiba Singh, son of N Biramangol Singh, a resident of Keirenphabi Mayai Leikai and originally from Kumbi Terakhong, under Moirang police station in Bishnupur district.
Ningthoujam Binoy alias Khaiba Singh was released from the Central Jail, Sajiwa on November 13, 2006 at about 4:30 pm after he was detained under the National Security Act (NSA). He was received from the jail gate by his friends and co-villagers, Tongbram Shyam, Salam Kameshwar Singh, Salam Rajen Singh and Oinam Nillachandra Singh and boarded a Maruti van bearing registration number MN-O1A-6619 owned and driven by one N Mohendro Singh along with the above mentioned individuals to go back home.
Laishram Joykumar Singh, counsel of the deceased Khaiba was also present there but he did not board the said Maruti as he had come on his own scooter.
It further contended that while the said Maruti van was moving along Khurai Chairenthong road near NG Mani College (along Imphal-Ukhrul Road), some Manipur police commandos intercepted the vehicle and all the occupants of the vehicle were asked to get down from it.
N Binoy alias Khaiba was dragged out of the vehicle and taken a few yards away from the place by the police commandos whereas the other occupants were asked to lie down on the road side in a prostrate position.
N Binoy alias Khaiba Singh was allegedly shot dead by the police commandos who pumped him with several bullets.
On the other hand, the report filed by the police commandos at Lamlai police station about the incident said that a team of Imphal West district police commandos led by head constable Kh Inaobi Singh, after receiving information about the movements of some underground elements at about 3:00 pm on November 13, 2006 conducted frisking/checking at the road turning near NG Mani college, Khurai Chairenthong.
According to the police report, a Maruti van with eight occupants in it was stopped for verification. One of the occupants (N Binoy) attempted to snatch arms of a police personnel and a brief struggle ensued. During the process, Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit Singh (Constable No 0101031) fired 5 to 6 rounds of bullets from his service weapon and killed the person.
According to the report, the deceased was identified as a self-styled sergeant Ninthoujam Binoy Singh alias Kennedy alias Khaiba, a hardcore member of the banned PREPAK organization.
In regard to the incident a case was registered at Lamlai police station under FIR No 129 (11) 2006 u/s 384/353/511 IPC and 20 UA (P) Act.
The long wait for justice for Ningthoujam Ongbi Mainu Devi (56), mother of N Binoy paid off today when Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench gave its ruling today.
The court’s ruling today has ordered that the respondents of the case, Principal Secretary (Home), Director General of Police, Manipur and Superintendent of Police, Imphal East and Imphal West are to compensate for the death with Rs 5 lakh.
The court further asked petitioner, N Maimu Devi to pay an advocate fee of Rs 5000 to her counsel.