IMPHAL, April 24: Department of Forensic Medicine of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has started the post mortem examination on the human skulls and skeletal remains which were found during excavation at the erstwhile complex of Tombisana High School, Old Assembly Road by Public Works Department (PWD) for the construction of a market shed for women.
According to reports received by this daily, the post mortem examination on the eight human skulls and skeletal remains started from April 21 following an order issued by District Magistrate, Imphal West.
As per the order, each Executive Magistrate should take part in the post mortem examination. Sub-Deputy Collector of Imphal West, Md Daulat as an Executive Magistrate had taken part in the post mortem examination conducted so far. Amongst officials of District Magistrate of Imphal West, Robertson and Jadumani as Executive Magistrates will take part in the post mortem examination till its completion.
Investigation Officer of City Police Station, Kamson is working together with the Executive Magistrates in the inquest work of the post mortem examination conducted so far. Forensic experts of RIMS are also assisting in the in-depth examination of the human skulls and skeletal remains which are kept in four boxes wrapped by plastic.
Apart from the eight human skulls and different sizes of skeletal remains which were sealed after being recovered by the police, the sealed items included human hairs and earth samples.
Video footages of the opening of the sealed boxes and process of the post mortem examination are also being recorded, the reports said.
It may be recalled here that the human skulls and skeletal remains were recovered during excavation at the former campus of Tombisana High School on December 25 and 26, 2014.
Following the stunning recovery that has come as a shocker to the state, a case was registered at Heingang Police Station, Imphal East under UD no 12 of HNG PS/2014. Later the case was transferred to City Police Station, Imphal West and subsequently registered a case under UD no 9 of City PS/2014 U/S 174 CrPc.
At first, the human skulls and skeletal remains were kept at JNIMS morgue. Later, it was brought to RIMS morgue on December 27 last.
A state cabinet meeting convened on December 29 with Chief Minister O Ibobi in the chair had decided to hand over the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In connection with the recovery of the human skulls and skeletal remains, Human Rights Alert (HRA) and Families of Involuntary Disappeared Association Manipur (FIDAM) had filed a Public Interest Litigation at High Court of Manipur.