IMPHAL, October 5: The state government has today suspended four police commandos of Imphal West District including a sub inspector involved in the alleged encounter at Lamdeng Khunnou Makha Leikai on October 2, in which a suspected KCP militant was killed.
It may be recalled here that one Thiyam Romen @ Rome, aged 45, son of Late Th Mani Singh of Irom Meijrao Mamang Makha Leikai Ward No 8 was killed in an alleged encounter.
However the victim’s 13 year old son Luwangngamba has testified that his father who was sleeping with him was taken away at 1.20 after midnight by some persons in plainclothes having small arms who had forced their way inside the house and that his father was clothed only in a Khudei and a cotton vest when they took him away.
But when family members found the dead body of Romen at Lamphelpat RIMS mortuary he was clothed in quarter pants and a T-shirt.
Talking to IFP at the crime scene on October 2 a police commando had said, acting on a tip off that some UG cadres are moving in the general area of Lamdeng they had moved in the area at around 5.40 am when suddenly a grenade was hurled at the police party after which an encounter followed.
An underground cadre was killed while another two escaped, according to the commando officer.
Further, police were able to recover 3 hand grenades, another grenade without pin and a 9 mm pistol.
Following complaints from the local JAC the state Home Minister Gaikhangam had ordered action against the police officers.
The suspended officers are SI Potsangbam Dineshkanta Singh, his driver N Rajesh (CD No 10D0848), Constable H Ratan (No 0901542), and Constable Th Netrajit (No 0901123).
The suspension orders issued by Imphal west SP K Jayenta cited Article 66 of Assam Police Manual Part III.
Condemning the alleged encounter, locals of Irom Meijrao had formed a JAC and sought justice from the state government and punishment for the guilty police personnel.
Following a sit-in-protest and assurances from the state Home Minister that the guilty would be punished, family members had accepted the body of Thiyam Romen yesterday.
Talking to IFP the state Home Minister said that no one is above the law and anyone found involved in unlawful activities would be booked according to law.
He said, the process of a departmental inquiry into the incident has already been started with the suspension of the police commandos involved in the incident.
When the Minister asked about a judicial inquiry into the incident said that the state government is yet to consider such an inquiry while expressing faith in the departmental inquiry.
Meanwhile, the suspended police commandos have been asked to remain stationed at the reserve Line of the Imphal West District Police and their weapons have already been seized from their possession.
Besides the suspension of police commandos, action has been contemplated against personnel of 5th Manipur Rifles who were involved in the incident, the sources add.