IMPHAL, February 22: The Working Committee of the Apunba Lup today staged a sit in protest decrying the absence of District and Sessions Judge, Imphal East during the February 20 hearing of the July 23, 2009 BT Road Killing case.
The sit in protest was held at the Keisampat Yumjao Lairembi Community Hall today.
The hearing for Prosecution Witness of the July 23 Bir Tikendrajit road fake encounter was scheduled to be held at the court on February 20, however, the hearing was adjourned as the judge in the case was reportedly on official tour to Tamenglong district.
Decrying the development, the committee today assured to launch several forms of agitations until justice is delivered in the case.
The committee is also organising a convention on February 26 and a resolution will be taken to demand speedy justice.
During today’s demonstration, the protestors held several placards reading “Is the Judiciary on sale?” and further demanding to know who sent the judge away.
Other placards read “Manipur a failed State,” “Manipur government exposed!!!,” “Manipur misrule, what is the nexus between Judiciary and ministers, absconding Judiciary.”
Speaking to media persons, co-convenor of Apunba Lup, Phunindro Konsam said it is unfortunate that proper legal proceedings could not be held on February 20 as the judge was absent when head constable Herojit appeared before the court.
This has created a suspicion among the people on whether a conspiracy has been hatched against the head constable following his confession of killing unarmed Sanjit on July 23, 2009, he observed.
He said the people want justice in the case.
On February 2, head constable Herojit had failed to appear in court due to lack of some important documents which was to be submitted to the court, following which the next date for the court hearing was set for February 20, he said.
Now, due to the absence of the judge, the hearing had to be adjourned, he said.
This could be a delaying tactics proposed by the government, he added.
He said even after Herojit’s confession, the government has failed to take any proper step to bring justice and at the same time there is a question as to who killed Rabina.
The Working Committee on Apunba Lup will submit a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission and Government of India to seek speedy justice, he added.
All Manipur united Clubs’ Organisation Dr Y Mani Khuman said it will be better if the government proceed along the right path instead of delaying tactics and invite a strong agitation from the people.
The government should bring this case to its logical and legal end at the earliest, he said, and further claimed more than a 1000 lives have been lost in fake encounters in the State.
He said the unity of the people should be shown against the negligence of the government.
Apunba Lup coordinator Sunil Karam lauded Herojit for his confession.
He added people should accept his honesty even though he might be involved in the case.
He said Herojit’s act of confessing to his crime is for the future generation.
Sunil also expressed suspicion against the absence of the judge.
He said the CBI should take Herojit’s statements at the earliest.
Agitations will continue if proper legal proceeding of the case is not allowed on March 5, he said.
