IMPHAL, Jun 4: Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal West passed an order to freeze the SBI Singjamei branch bank account of former JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan with immediate effect yesterday. Ratan had tendered resignation as the convenor of JCILPS after a purported photograph showing him with some persons taking oath by holding the flag of banned UNLF went viral on social networking sites. Manipur Police Department announced a cash re- ward of Rs 5 lakh to any individual who may provide information leading to his arrest on June 2. Singjamei police have taken up an FIR bearing number 85 (6) Singjamei police station under Section 121/121-A/109/120-B/148/149/152/153-A/188/341IPC, 3PDPP Act and 18/20 UA(P) Act.
The police report submitted to the Court stated that on June 2 at around 6.30 am, a picture of Khomdram Ratan (49) s/o (L) Kh Ibotombi of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai showing him taking oath of allegiance to the flag of UNLF was found uploaded in the social media Facebook and Whatsapp. The report further mentioned that the photo clearly showed that the oath was administered to Khomdram Ra- tan and three other unknown persons by UNLF organization secretary Nongyai Singh and the image became the evidence of their links with the banned outfit.
The report further alleged that Khomdram Ratan has been working as an activist of the organization and indulged in prejudicial activities against the State. Further he had abetted the innocent public to promote social unrest, rioting and enmity among different sections of the people of Manipur in the recent past in the backdrop of JCILPS. He had created serious breaches of law and order, disturbances public tranquillity and harmony with colossal damages to public properties, the report said. Hence a regular case has been taken up against Ratan by Singjamei police station and a sou moto case has been registered against him and other for verification. Yesterday, a writ petition was filed by the police pleading the Court to freeze the saving account of Ratan.
APP submitted before the Court that an FIR with regard to offences for waging war, abetment, criminal, conspiracy, rioting, promoting enmity between different groups, obstruction public servant, wrongful restraint, mischief of Public properties and being a members of unlawful organization has been registered against the accused. APP further submitted before the Court that the accused is evading arrest from the concerned authority. It is also suspected that the accused has been funding the banned UNLF, hence his bank account must be frozen, he said. Stating the there is merit in the petition, the Court ordered to freeze Ratan’s SBI Singjamei branch bank account with immediate effect.
