The Murder of Revolutionary Kishan in Manipur
- Part 2 -

By Malem Ningthouja *

Who were the murderers?

Pankaj Kumar Pal, the then DC of Ukhrul District

• Kishan was indifferent to the alleged unparliamentary character of Pankaj Kumar Pal towards him on official matters. Pankaj is said to have nexus with cadres of NSCN-IM. There was difference of opinion between Kishan and the DC when the later had insisted upon Kishan to enlist a sizable number of bogus names in the electoral rolls and to issue additional job cards against such names. What was the material interest of the DC on this matter?
• Kishan was abducted with his associates after attending a meeting convened by the DC at his office on 13 February to discuss about preparation for a proposed visit of Works Minister on 14 February and in connection with implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the district. Why the DC took an immediate leave after the meeting?
• On 13 February, at around 13.17 hours one David Kashungnao, a SDC in of office of the DC had informed Kishan's wife over the phone that the DC had seen Kishan on the way to Siroy-Chingai Road. According to NSCN-IM's statement the vehicle was driven by Sergeant Major Ashang of the NSCN-IM and he was more or less known to the DC [8] . Why didn't the DC inform the police or the higher authorities on this matter?
• David was directed by the DC to call back Kishan for an urgent matter. For that reason David had called up Kishan's wife to ask for either Kishan's BSNL mobile number since Aircel mobile number might not work or the number of Kishan's driver. Why didn't the DC call back to Kishan's wife in the following days to inquire about the absence of Kishan from official duty?
• When the wife of Kishan suspected and enquired about the whereabouts of her husband, the DC hinted to her that her husband could be in the hand of NSCN. However, the DC or any of the authority of the office had neither lodged any complaint immediately with the police nor informed the matter to the higher authorities. On the contrary, the DC had taken official leave after the meeting.
  'On being asked as to why he did not inform the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police on his inability to establish contact with one of his subordinate staff, assuming that he might have some knowledge about the preceding incident, Pankaj Kumar Pal said that he did not inform about the matter as he thought that Kishan might have gone to Kasom Khullen via Thoubal, (i.e., to the remote area of Ukhrul District by taking a long course of journey through Thoubal District)' [9].

• It was until the government had announced 'rescue' of Kapangkhui Zimik, Ramthing and Ramshing on 21 February that the NSCN-IM had denied its involvement in the murder and knowledge about the involvement of its cadres in the murder.
• Whether the 'rescue', which would obviously disclose the identity of the murderers, had necessitated the NSCN-IM to accept involvement of its cadre in the murder or not have not been proven.
  Whatever may be the factors for coincidence, the NSCN-IM on 22 February clarified that three of its cadres namely Commanding Officer of Kiusumong Battalion (Siroy) Lt. Col. H Ningshen, Sergeant Major Ashang and Town Commander Apho Sibo had carried out the murder.
  According to the clarification, 'the three were acting on their own individual capacity… they do not represent the (NSCN-IM) in any position' and that investigation was on to round up all those involved in the murder' [10]. The murderers were kept under the custody of NSCN-IM for further investigation and legal action.
• On 23 February NSCN-IM stated that the party could not take up immediate official decision and action on the murderers and sought for some more time on the ground that 'some more persons involved in the barbaric act are yet to be rounded up' [11].
• On 25 February NSCN-IM came up with a statement saying that a high level enquiry committee was constituted with 'direction to submit investigation report on or before 4 March' [12] .
• In an interview on 2 March, the home minister of the NSCN-IM Keditsu Tsuzuh ruled out handing over of the murderers to the Government of Manipur but that his 'government has its own law and those guilty will be tried within our judicial system' [13].
• According to a statement of NSCN-IM released on 3 March, 'the murder case of Dr. Th. Kishan and his two staff has become more complex with new evidences coming to light' and it sought for 15 more days to complete the investigation [14].
• NSCN-IM has not come up with any statement about the case till date, i.e., 5 April 2009.

• On 19 February the Government of Manipur in an immediate response to the 48 hours general strike called by civil societies ordered for a probe into the murder case. The government at the same time announced suspension of the DC and the Superintendent of Police of Ukhrul District A. Dorji from service for dereliction of duty. However, no criminal proceeding has been initiated against the DC till date.
• On 21 February the Government of Manipur announced that a combined team of Assam Rifles and police led by an Inspector General 'rescued' Kapangkhui Zimik, Ramthing and Ramshing who were abducted along with Kishan on 13 February and freed on 14 February.
• On 23 February Wungmasho, former headman of Langdang Village was arrested and he was sent to jail on 1 March.
• On 25 February Mahei Kasar, the driver of the Bolero was arrested and he was sent to jail on 4 March.
• The chairman of Seikhor village, Soreingam Riphung and the secretary Th Zimik were arrested on February 26 and 27 respectively and they were sent to jail on 4 March.
• On 18 March, an Enquiry Committee comprised of Agriculture Commissioner O Nabakishore and Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) L.M. Khoute submitted a report to the Additional Chief Secretary D.S. Poonia. Till date the government has been keeping report as confidential.
• On 1 April, the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench issued a notice of motion to the Central government, State government and Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI) directing these institutions to submit status of the investigation into the murder case.
• It was also confirmed that the Government of India has entrusted the CBI to investigate into two First Information Reports (FIRs), i.e., 'FIR No. 8(2)09 under sections 365, 368 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 (Act No 45 of 1860) registered at the Police Station Ukhrul and FIR No.3(2)09 under section 302 of the IPC, 1860 (Act No 45 of 1860) registered at Police Station Senapati, Manipur…'.
• On 3 April the CBI team started investigation into the case. Till date no official report has been published.